HB 451 Summary

• Prohibits courts from considering parental alienation syndrome when determining child custody in cases where sexual assault, abuse, or domestic violence has been reported by a parent.

• Expands child protective intervention standards to include "harm" and "probable harm" in addition to "imminent harm" when determining if a child's health or welfare is at risk.

• Allows police officers and the Department of Child Protective Services to assume custody of children when there is reasonable cause to believe a parent has subjected or may subject the child to probable harm.

• Modifies Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 571-46, 587A-4, 587A-5, 587A-8, 587A-9, 587A-11, 587A-12, 587A-21, and 587A-26 to implement these protective measures.

• Takes effect upon approval; does not affect rights, duties, or proceedings that matured before the effective date.