Report Title:

Child Protect Review Panel; Removal Review

Description:

Requires that the child protective review panel review proceedings taken prior to the issuance of a court order upon the request of the child's family who believe that the child was wrongfully removed from the family home.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2634

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Relating to child protective services.

 

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

SECTION 1. Section 587-88, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

1. By amending subsection (a) to read:

"(a) The department shall establish a child protective review panel to review each case of serious abuse. Upon the request of the child's family, the panel also shall review child protective proceedings taken prior to or without a court order, where the child's family believes that the child was wrongfully removed from the family home. Based upon its review, the panel shall submit a report of findings and recommendations to the director. The department shall appoint members of the child protective review panel who may include, but not be limited to:

(1) Any physician treating the child for abuse;

(2) Any child protective services worker assigned to the case and the worker's supervisor;

(3) The guardian ad litem for the child, appointed under section 587-34, if applicable;

(4) The members of the child's multidisciplinary team or child protective services consultant; [and]

(5) An individual who represents the interests of the family; and

[(5)] (6) Other child protective services workers and supervisors."

2. By amending subsection (d) to read:

"(d) This section shall not be construed as interfering with any authority of the department or the courts to remove, to place, or to order any disposition on custody of the abused child under this chapter[.]; provided that any decision related to a review initiated by a child's family under this section shall be made available to the court in subsequent child protective services proceedings."

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 Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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:

_____________________________