Report Title:

Child Protection; Family Therapy

Description:

Requires the service plan for protection of a minor to include family therapy or services to be provided to the member or members of the child's family who have contributed to abusive or assaultive incidents in the child's history.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2201

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to child protection.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 587-26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) A service plan is a specific written plan prepared by an authorized agency and child's family and presented to [such] those members of the child's family [as] that the appropriate authorized agency deems to be necessary to the success of the plan, including, but not limited to, the member or members of the child's family who have legal custody, guardianship, or permanent custody of the child at the time that the service plan is being formulated or revised under this chapter. If appropriate, in addition to individual therapy or services for the child, the department may require a service plan to include family therapy or services for the member or members of the child's family who have contributed to the abusive or assaultive incident or incidents in the child's history. The purpose of the family therapy or services shall be to address and rectify the family dynamics and environment that have led to or caused abusive or assaultive behavior toward the child and that the department determines may continue to make for an unsafe family home. Family therapy or services shall:

(1) Be included, as appropriate, in the steps to be taken under the service plan pursuant to subsection (b)(1), (2), and (3); and

(2) Take into consideration the ohana conferences for family decision making pursuant to subsection (c)(1)."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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