STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2082

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2318

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2318 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Adopt the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act, to ensure that only one state has jurisdiction at any one time in adult guardianship cases and protective proceedings;

 

     (2)  Adopt guidelines to specify which court has jurisdiction to appoint a guardian or conservator for an incapacitated adult; and

 

     (3)  Prioritize the states that may claim jurisdiction.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Alzheimer's Association – Aloha Chapter; Child and Family Service; and the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary of the State of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act will provide uniformity and reduce conflicts among the states.  The Act deals primarily with jurisdictional, transfer, and enforcement issues relating to adult guardianships and protective proceedings.  To date, approximately thirty jurisdictions including the District of Columbia have adopted the Act, and four others, including Hawaii, are considering its adoption.

 

     Your Committee notes the concern expressed by the Judiciary that this measure may not be necessary and may subject families and guardians to increased complexity and procedures.  According to the Judiciary, families are currently able to seek guardianship for challenged minors before they turn eighteen, which provides seamless protection after the minor reaches the age of majority.  This measure, as currently drafted, appears to not allow this protection as "incapacitated person" is defined as an adult.  Your Committee further notes the Judiciary's concern with regard to the measure's potential negative impact on the Judiciary's operations.  Your Committee recognizes that this measure would require changes to court policies, procedures, and rules and in light of the budget shortages caused by the current economic downturn, the additional work required pursuant to this measure would consume valuable and limited Judiciary staff resources.

 

     Your Committee has therefore amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2014, and encouraging the Judiciary and the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation to work together to properly implement the salutary purposes of this measure; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2318, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2318, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair