H.B. 569 - Victim-Counselor Privilege

• Expands the definition of "victim" under Hawaii Rules of Evidence Rule 505.5 to include persons seeking counseling for dating violence, stalking, and sexual harassment in addition to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

• Adds "confidential advocate" as a category of victim counselor, defined as a person designated by the University of Hawaii to confidentially discuss sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and related issues who has completed a minimum of 35 hours of training.

• Extends victim-counselor privilege protections to confidential communications made to University of Hawaii confidential advocates, allowing employees to receive the same confidential services as students.

• Changes the victim-counselor privilege from "absolute" to "semiabsolute" in language, while maintaining protection for confidential communications and preventing disclosure of safe house or shelter locations.

• Takes effect July 1, 2060.