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HI HB1705
Bill
Status
3/6/2026
Primary Sponsor
Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy
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AI Summary
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Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 571-46.4 to add licensed mental health counselors (under chapter 453D) to the list of professionals eligible for appointment as child custody evaluators in family court proceedings.
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Currently authorized child custody evaluators include marriage and family therapists, board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers; this bill expands that list to include a fifth category.
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Addresses backlogs and extended wait times for child custody evaluations caused by a limited pool of qualified evaluators, which delays critical decisions affecting children's health, safety, and well-being.
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Aims to reduce the high costs of child custody evaluations that have resulted from restricted supply, making evaluations more accessible to families who cannot currently afford them.
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Effective date set for July 1, 3000 (placeholder date).
Legislative Description
Relating To Child Custody.
Judiciary
Last Action
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.
3/16/2026