STAND. COM. REP. NO. 910-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2448

H.D. 1

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. 2448 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the offense of prohibited acts of female genital mutilation of a minor and civil remedies for victims of acts punishable under that offense.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that female genital mutilation is an internationally recognized human rights violation that causes lasting physical and psychological harm to minors. Your Committee further finds that although federal law prohibits this practice, state-level enforcement mechanisms are essential to ensure timely intervention, reporting, and access to justice. This measure strengthens Hawaii's commitment to protecting children by establishing criminal penalties and civil remedies for victims of female genital mutilation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the statute of limitation applicable to the civil remedies available to victims of acts punishable under the offense of prohibited acts of female genital mutilation of a minor;

(2) Changing the class of felony for the offense from a class B felony to a class C felony;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2448, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2448, H.D. 1, 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