STAND. COM. REP. NO. 891-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2088

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2088 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADOPTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that written consents to adoption be notarized.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary and Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that the voluntary and informed consent of all required parties is fundamental to the integrity and finality of adoption proceedings. Your Committee further finds that requiring written consents to adoption be notarized helps ensure the authenticity of consent, reduces the risk of fraud, mistake, or coercion, and promotes clarity and uniformity in family court practice.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2088 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair