REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Services to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the Child Advocate to oversee child welfare services. The proposed office would conduct site visits, investigate complaints, review agency records, and issue annual reports with recommendations to improve oversight of children and families served by state programs. The resolution directs the department to determine whether the new office should be established as an independent entity or placed within an existing agency, with findings to be reported to the Legislature by early 2027.