STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3626

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1801

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1801, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support early intervention initiatives to address domestic violence.

More specifically, this measure appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services to contract with organizations specializing in domestic violence to provide Child Welfare Services branch offices with training and on-site staff to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Parents And Children Together, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and four individuals

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Office of Wellness and Resilience.

Your Committee finds that collaboration between the Department of Human Services and organizations specializing in mitigating domestic violence can help bridge knowledge gaps and foster a more holistic approach to family safety. Your Committee believes that the initiatives supported and funded by this measure will strengthen the capacity of Child Welfare Services to more effectively identify and address instances of domestic violence, an issue that disproportionately affects women and has far‑reaching impacts on the State's families and communities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1801, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair