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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

637

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO OHANA CONFERENCING.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 587-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Ohana conference" means a family-focused, strength-based meeting facilitated by trained community facilitators designed to build and strengthen the network of protection of the extended family and the community for the child. Ohana conferences include extended family members and other important people in the child’s life and rely on them to participate in making plans and decisions. The purpose of the ohana conference is to establish a plan that provides for the safety and permanency needs of the child."

SECTION 2. Section 587-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) The service plan should also include, but not necessarily be limited to:

(1) The consideration given to the use of ohana conferences for family decision making;

[(1)] (2) The specific, measurable, behavioral changes that must be achieved by the parties; the specific services or treatment that the parties will be provided and the specific actions the parties must take or specific responsibilities that the parties must assume; the time frames during which the services will be provided and such actions must be completed and responsibilities must be assumed; provided that, services and assistance should be presented in a manner that does not confuse or overwhelm the parties;

[(2)] (3) The specific consequences that may be reasonably anticipated to result from the parties’ success or failure in making the family home a safe family home, including, but not limited to, the consequence that, unless the family is willing and able to provide the child with a safe family home within the reasonable period of time specified in the service plan, their respective parental and custodial duties and rights shall be subject to termination by award of permanent custody; and

[(3)] (4) Such other terms and conditions as the appropriate authorized agency deems to be necessary to the success of the service plan."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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