STAND. COM. REP. NO. 894-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2093

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. 2093 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the procedure for sealing documents filed in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings under the Uniform Probate Code to temporarily seal certain medical records and professional evaluations pending a judicial determination on the need for continued sealing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that guardianship and conservatorship proceedings frequently require the filing of highly sensitive personal information, including medical records and professional evaluations, relating to an individual's physical or mental condition and capacity.

Your Committee further finds that while court proceedings are presumptively open to the public, there is a compelling need to protect the privacy interests of individuals subject to these proceedings. Establishing a clear, tiered procedure for the sealing of vital records and the temporary sealing of certain medical records and professional evaluations, pending judicial review, appropriately balances individual privacy rights with the public's interest in transparency.

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. 2093 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