Bill Text: HI SB2527 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Family Court.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-01-24 - Referred to HMS, JDC. [SB2527 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2527-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2527 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FAMILY COURT.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to the department of human services, 2,843 children were in foster care during the fiscal year of 2019. The State serves as the legal custodian and representative for a significant number of children in foster care due to their age. If a child in foster care suffers an injury caused by a third party, the State will cover the child's medical costs. However, that child is unable to obtain legal representation to file a tort claim to seek any additional damages, such as pain and suffering. Thus, a class of children is disenfranchised from their right to counsel in such an event because they are in foster care with the State serving as their legal custodian. The legislature recognizes that children in foster care--already vulnerable and in need of protection and support--may be facing an increased risk for harm in light of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There is evidence that pandemics increase risk for child abuse and neglect due to accompanying phenomenon such as heightened stress, loss of income, school closures, and social isolation.
The legislature further finds that prior to 2018, the judiciary's standing committee on children in family court considered and discussed a tort claim procedure or policy to provide outside legal representation on behalf of a child who is in foster care pursuant to chapter 587A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and may have a cause of action and seek damages for any injuries sustained. The standing committee declined to adopt a procedure or policy but acknowledged that a process should be established in family court.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require certain persons to immediately report a potential tort claim to the family court when that person has reason to believe that a child in foster custody has suffered an injury that may give rise to a tort claim; and
(2) Establish procedures for the family court to allow a child in foster custody who has suffered an injury to seek outside legal representation for a claim of damages resulting from a tort.
SECTION 2. Chapter 587A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§587A- Reporting of injured child in foster custody; tort claim; court-appointed master. (a) If a guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, resource family, party, social worker, or attorney has reason to believe that a child in foster custody has suffered a physical, emotional, or psychological injury that may give rise to a tort claim under federal or state law, these persons shall immediately report the matter to the court in writing.
(b) Upon receiving a written notice pursuant to subsection (a), the court shall immediately set a hearing and provide a copy of the written communication to all parties. At the hearing, the court shall consider whether issuing an order to appoint a master pursuant to family court rules is necessary to investigate the reported potential tort claim.
(c) If the court issues an order appointing a master, the order shall set forth the following:
(1) All parties
shall cooperate with the master, including gathering and furnishing any
records, reports, and data requested by the master;
(2) The master
shall meet and consult with outside counsel on behalf of the injured child
regarding the merits of the potential tort claim;
(3) The master
shall submit a written report to the court by the date set by the court;
(4) The report
submitted by the master shall describe the actions taken by the master and provide
any recommendations regarding filing a tort claim;
(5) A copy of the
report submitted by the master shall be submitted to all parties;
(6) The court shall
set a hearing following the submission of the report by the master; and
(7) Any other
requirements that the court may deem necessary to assist the master in
determining the merits of the reported potential tort action.
(d) At the hearing scheduled by the court following the submission of the master's report, the court, upon hearing from all parties and the master, and based on the master's report, shall consider whether:
(1) No further
action is necessary; or
(2) To
issue an order authorizing the filing of a tort claim on behalf of the injured
child.
(e) If the court issues an order authorizing the filing of a tort claim on behalf of the injured child, the court shall:
(1) Appoint outside
counsel to represent the injured child if the court determines that the
appointment is in the best interest of the child;
(2) Determine
whether the master should continue to serve during the tort action;
(3) Set periodic
hearings to review the tort action; and
(4) Issue any other
orders that are in the best interest of the injured child during the tort action."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED
BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Family Court; Minors; Foster Custody; Tort Action
Description:
Requires certain persons to immediately report a potential tort claim to the family court when that person has reason to believe that a child in foster custody has suffered an injury that may give rise to a tort claim. Establishes procedures for the family court to allow a child in foster custody who has suffered an injury to seek outside legal representation for a claim of damages resulting from a tort.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
