HI SR105

Requests the Hawaii State Legislature's Keiki Caucus to consult with the Legacy Coalition and form a working group to determine how the Legacy Coalition can assist courts and Child Protective Services with Native Hawaiian children in foster care and custody matters.

Directs the working group to: (1) determine how the Legacy Coalition can best assist courts regarding placement of Native Hawaiian children removed from homes; (2) determine how to assist those children; and (3) review how courts handle child custody cases involving Native Hawaiian children.

Notes that approximately 50 percent of Department of Human Services foster care cases involve Native Hawaiian families and that the hanai practice exists within Native Hawaiian culture for child care.

Specifies the working group include representatives from 19 organizations and entities, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Foster Parent Association, Attorney General, Hawaii State Bar Association, kupuna groups, and various community organizations.

Requires the Keiki Caucus to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2016 Regular Session convenes and terminates the working group upon adjournment of that session.