S.B. 2397 Summary

• Requires child custody evaluators (licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and court-approved fact-finding investigators) to complete domestic violence training every three years beginning July 1, 2023.

• Training course must be developed and facilitated by a Hawaii-based domestic violence program, with participants submitting completion letters or certificates to family court and providing copies to all parties upon request.

• Existing evaluators on the family court registry as of July 1, 2023, must provide proof of training completion by June 1, 2025.

• Appropriates $35,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023 to develop the training curriculum and facilitate the training process, with judiciary authorized to contract with a nonprofit organization.

• Effective date is July 1, 2060.