HI HB1906

Repeals section 586-10.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which required family courts to report all temporary restraining order cases involving alleged domestic abuse of minors or incapacitated persons to the Department of Human Services.

Eliminates the requirement for the Department of Human Services to investigate each domestic violence allegation and submit written reports to family courts before temporary restraining order hearings.

Allows courts to exercise discretion under existing child abuse (section 350-1.1) and vulnerable adult protection (section 346-224) reporting requirements rather than imposing automatic mandatory reporting in all domestic violence cases.

Addresses concern that automatic reporting requirements may discourage families from seeking protective orders and unnecessarily burden already overworked child welfare and adult protective services systems.

Effective date: July 1, 3000 (contains apparent drafting error in statutory date).