Rep. Kanani Souza

Maddy summaryHB 1381 establishes a working group within the judiciary to address legal service needs for youth in the child welfare system. The group will develop recommendations and receive appropriated funds to improve access to legal support for these young people. This procedural bill focuses on enhancing legal assistance access for vulnerable youth, not on changing existing child welfare laws or policies.

Establishes a working group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to make recommendations for the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle batteries and requires a report to the Legislature.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, requires each public, private, and charter school in the State to establish a program within the health education curriculum for high school students to provide instruction in CPR. Specifies instruction requirements. Waives liability for instruction under certain circumstances.

Requires that new and newly renovated state buildings with a budget of $5,000,000 or more include dedicated space for a child care center or an adult day care center.

Authorizes the Hawaiian Homes Commission to retain independent legal counsel, with any legal fees owed to be paid by the State, and also use the services of the Attorney General as needed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds in addition to the base budget of the Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office to address the need for homeless services in the State.

Requires that the fees for attorneys retained by a condominium association be paid from an association's funds or reserves, except for collection of delinquent common dues payments from owners. Limits the total and final legal fees to twenty-five per cent of the original debt amount. Requires attorneys retained by a condominium association to confine their communications to the condominium board, except when the attorneys must request and require materials and responses directly from owners for each matter. Prohibits attorneys retained by a condominium association from billing unit owners directly. Specifies the contents of an attorney's billing statement. Requires that a notice of default and intention to foreclose served on a unit owner affords the unit owner the opportunity to respond within thirty days after service of the notice.

Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.

Raises the minimum age requirement to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Removes the parental consent and written approval by the family court requirements for a minor to marry. Removes spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 581 appropriates state funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) for constructing new housing units specifically for Native Hawaiians. The bill directly affects Native Hawaiians who qualify for DHHL housing programs by expanding available housing through new construction. Its key provision is allocating budgetary resources to DHHL for this purpose, without altering eligibility rules or existing program structures. The bill is currently pending in the 2025 legislative session after being referred to relevant committees.