STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1601-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2054

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY COURT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to guide the courts when awarding custody and visitation rights in disputes over a minor child.  This bill clarifies the existing standards followed by the courts by providing criteria to help determine what constitutes the best interest of the child.

 

     VOICES and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the intent of this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the reference to the psychological adjustment of a parent in the criteria to be used in determining the best interests of the child, which is not otherwise described in this measure; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2054, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair