HB 1942 Summary

• Adds members of the clergy, commercial computer technicians, and commercial film and photographic print or image processors to mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect under Hawaii law.

• Requires mandatory reporters to immediately report suspected child abuse orally to the Department of Human Services or police, followed by a written report.

• Exempts clergy members from reporting information gained solely during penitential communications (sacramental confessions), but requires reporting of abuse information from all other sources.

• Establishes a "safe harbor" provision allowing clergy to report previously unreported child abuse or neglect through February 28, 2021, without penalty for past non-reporting.

• Defines "electronic medium" to include recordings, digital video disks, thumb drives, and other data storage devices used with computers for purposes of reporting suspected child exploitation.