HI HR117

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs directed to convene a working group to assess the feasibility of establishing licensing or certification requirements for paralegals in Hawaii.

Working group membership includes the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (chair), Attorney General, Hawaii Access to Justice Commission representative, Kapiolani Community College representative, Hawaii State Bar Association representative, Hawaii Paralegal Association representative, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii Executive Director, Domestic Violence Action Center of Hawaii CEO, and a practicing attorney who employs paralegals.

Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2018.

Resolution notes that Hawaii currently has no laws regulating paralegal education, work experience, licensing, or certification, and that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17 percent employment growth for paralegals nationally between 2012 and 2022.

Kapiolani Community College offers a paralegal program under consideration for American Bar Association accreditation, and the National Federation of Paralegal Association offers certification through the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam.