HI HCR218

Request that the Office of the Auditor conduct an audit of contested child custody proceedings involving alleged family violence heard by Family Courts between January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2010.

Audit shall assess how Family Court judges apply and enforce Hawaii Revised Statutes section 571-46(a)(9)-(14), which establishes criteria for custody and visitation decisions when family violence has occurred.

Require the Judiciary to redact all names of parties, witnesses, attorneys, judges, and other persons from selected proceedings to maintain privacy and confidentiality.

Direct the Office of the Auditor to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the start of the 2012 Regular Session.

Address concerns that Family Court judges may not be correctly applying domestic violence statutes, potentially disadvantaging abuse survivors and their children in custody disputes.