HI HB1451

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 571-46(b) regarding factors courts consider when determining the best interest of the child in custody cases

Changes the standard of proof for establishing willful misuse of domestic abuse protective orders from "clear and convincing evidence" to "preponderance of the evidence"

Allows courts to consider a parent's prior willful misuse of protection from abuse petitions as a factor only if such misuse is proven to show the parent cannot cooperate successfully with the other parent on shared child responsibilities

Clarifies that voluntary dismissal of a protection from abuse petition alone shall not constitute prima facie evidence of willful misuse

Takes effect upon approval with no retroactive effect on proceedings begun before enactment