SB 710: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

Current Status:

Failed

(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Establishes the Child Welfare Task Forceto develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system.Requires support from the Department of Human Services.Requires a report to the Legislature.Appropriates funds.Effective 12/31/2050.(SD1)

Version:

SB710 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	710
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in 2022, the auditor was requested to conduct a performance audit of the child welfare services branch of the department of human services (department), pursuant to senate concurrent resolution No. 102, S.D. 1, H.D. 1 (2022). In April 2024, the auditor published report no. 24‑05, finding that the department's process to license child-specific homes did not comply with legal requirements and that the department failed to monitor or evaluate the performance of its contractor hired to complete documentation necessary for licensing, ultimately putting children at risk.

The legislature also finds that, pursuant to Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, the malama ohana working group was established to improve the child welfare system by seeking, designing, and recommending transformative changes to the State's existing child welfare system. The malama ohana working group published its final report with various recommendations on December 9, 2024.

The legislature further finds that the senate standing committee on health and human services conducted an informational briefing on November 21, 2024, to address the April 2024 state audit of child welfare services and concerns regarding the child welfare system in Hawaii. The informational briefing agenda included highlights from the audit, recommendations from the malama ohana working group, a review of the 2016 East Hawaii pilot program, and a status update from the department of human services regarding efforts to increase recruitment of foster families and social workers.

The legislature notes that the informational briefing highlighted persistent shortcomings in Hawaii's child welfare system and recognizes that there is an urgent need for systemic change.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to convene a child welfare task force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of human services, for administrative purposes only, a child welfare task force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system, including consideration of the recommendations of the malama ohana working group, pursuant to Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.

(b) The department of human services shall fully cooperate with the child welfare task force in carrying out its duties, including providing any requested information in accordance with federal and state law, and shall provide support or other assistance as reasonably requested. The task force may consult with other persons and organizations as necessary to carry out its duties pursuant to this Act.

(1) The executive director of the office of wellness and resilience, who shall serve as chairperson of the task force;

(2) The attorney general;

(3) The director of human services;

(4) The director of human resources development;

(5) The insurance commissioner; and

(6) Members of the malama ohana working group, pursuant to Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, to be invited by the chairperson.

(d) The members of the child welfare task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(e) The child welfare task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the child welfare task force to carry out its duties pursuant to this Act, including incidental costs and potential consultancy fees.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

Report Title:

DHS; Child Welfare Task Force; Child Welfare System; Malama Ohana Working Group; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes the Child Welfare Task Force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system. Requires support from the Department of Human Services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB710

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	710
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Child Welfare.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in 2022, the auditor was requested to conduct a performance audit of the child welfare services branch of the department of human services (department), pursuant to senate concurrent resolution 102 S.D. 1 H.D. 1. In April 2024, the auditor published report no. 24‑05, finding that the department's process to license child-specific homes did not comply with legal requirements and that the department failed to monitor or evaluate the performance of its contractor hired to complete documentation necessary for licensing, ultimately putting children at risk.

The legislature further finds that the senate committee on health and human services conducted an informational briefing on November 21, 2024, to address the April 2024 state audit of child welfare services and concerns regarding the child welfare system in Hawaii. The informational briefing agenda included highlights from the audit, recommendations from the malama ohana working group, a review of the 2016 East Hawaii pilot program, and a status update from the department of human services regarding efforts to increase recruitment of foster families and social workers.

The legislature notes that the informational briefing highlighted persistent shortcomings in Hawaii's child welfare system and recognizes that there is an urgent need for systemic change.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to convene a child welfare task force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system.

(1) The chair of the senate standing committee having primary subject-matter jurisdiction over the department of human services, who shall serve as co‑chair;

(2) The chair of the house of representatives standing committee having primary subject-matter jurisdiction over the department of human services, who shall serve as co-chair;

(3) The attorney general;

(4) The director of human services;

(5) The director of human resources development;

(6) The executive director of the office of wellness and resilience;

(7) The insurance commissioner; and

(8) Members of the malama ohana working group, pursuant to Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.

(d) The members of the child welfare task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the child welfare task force to carry out its duties pursuant to this Act, including incidental costs and potential consultancy fees.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DHS; Child Welfare Task Force; Child Welfare System; Malama Ohana Working Group; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Child Welfare Task Force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system. Requires support from the Department of Human Services. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates moneys.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

Date	Status
Dec 8, 2025	Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Feb 14, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Feb 14, 2025	Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 626) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Feb 12, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Feb 10, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-12-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Feb 4, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:20PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 23, 2025	Referred to HHS, WAM.
Jan 21, 2025	Passed First Reading.
Jan 17, 2025	Introduced.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Feb 12, 2025	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.

Positions by individuals are not included.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Hawaii Coalition for Child Protective Reform	** Support
Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!	** Support
Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network	** Support
Mālama ʻOhana Working Group	** Support
Mālama ʻOhana Working Group	*** Support	Feb 10, 2025
Office of the Governor	*** Support	Feb 10, 2025
Office of Wellness and Resilience	** Support
Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaiʻi	** Support

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 626

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 710

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 710 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Child Welfare Task Force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system;

(2) Require the Department of Human Services to cooperate with the Child Welfare Task Force and provide support or other assistance; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the Child Welfare Task Force to carry out its duties, including incidental costs and potential consultancy fees.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Coalition for Child Protective Reform, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that in 2022, the Auditor conducted a performance audit of the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services and concluded in report No. 24-05 that the Department's process to license child-specific homes did not comply with legal requirements and that the Department failed to monitor or evaluate the performance of its contractor hired to complete documentation necessary for licensing, ultimately putting children at risk. Your Committee further finds that the Legislature established the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group to improve the child welfare system by seeking, designing, and recommending transformative changes to the State's existing child welfare system. This measure promotes collaboration and coordination between relevant state agency stakeholders and the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group to develop actionable strategies for meaningful improvements to the State's child welfare system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have included, as co-chairs of the Child Welfare Task Force, the:

(A) Chair of the Senate standing committee having primary subject-matter jurisdiction over the Department of Human Services; and

(B) Chair of the House of Representatives standing committee having primary subject-matter jurisdiction over the Department of Human Services;

(2) Designating the Executive Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience as the chairperson of the Child Welfare Task Force;

(3) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(4) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) 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 Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 710, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 710, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Feb 10, 2025	SB710_TESTIMONY_HHS_02-10-25_.PDF

Authors shown for version:
SB710_SD1 (2/13/2025)