HI SCR8

Urges the Hawaii State Department of the Attorney General to conduct a statewide investigation into sexual abuse of minors by Roman Catholic Church clergy and other churches or institutions with abuse allegations in Hawaii.

References a Pennsylvania grand jury report documenting abuse of more than 1,000 children by hundreds of priests over decades, including at least one priest relocated to Hawaii who admitted abusing at least twenty children.

Notes a Hawaii law firm study identified fifty-eight Catholic clergy members with allegations of child sexual abuse in Hawaii, including recent allegations.

Requires the Attorney General to submit status reports on the investigation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Sessions of 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Cites that multiple state Attorneys General across the United States are investigating similar Catholic clergy abuse cases following the Pennsylvania grand jury findings.