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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

HB 239: RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.

Passed one chamber Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 239 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii House on January 16, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE. Primary sponsor: Lisa Kitagawa (Democratic), Lisa Marten (Democratic), Cory Chun (Democratic), Tina Grandinetti (Democratic), Linda Ichiyama (Democratic), Kim Coco Iwamoto (Democratic), Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), Darius Kila (Democratic), Scot Matayoshi (Democratic), Ikaika Olds (Democratic), Amy Perruso (Democratic), Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), Kanani Souza (Republican), Gregg Takayama (Democratic), Adrian Tam (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Amends the definition of "child abuse or neglect" to clarify that the failure to provide certain needs to a child shall not constitute child abuse or neglect if the sole reason the person responsible for the care of the child is unable to adequately provide for the child's care is lack of financial resources; and evidence of parental request for support shall not be deemed as evidence of child abuse and neglect. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 14 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Lisa KitagawaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse48
Lisa MartenPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse51
Cory ChunPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse35
Tina GrandinettiPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse20
Linda IchiyamaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse31
Kim Coco IwamotoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse25
Kirstin KahaloaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse6
Darius KilaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse44
Scot MatayoshiPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse49
Ikaika OldsPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse23
Amy PerrusoPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse46
Mahina PoepoePrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse13
Kanani SouzaPrimary sponsorRepublicanHouse43
Gregg TakayamaPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse34
Adrian TamPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse24

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. The committee on JDC deferred the measure.
  3. The committee(s) on JDC deferred the measure until 04-03-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
  4. The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-25-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
  5. Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1190) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
  6. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
  7. The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto, Keohokalole.
  8. The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-12-25 1:10PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
  9. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 202).
  10. Passed First Reading.
  11. Referred to HHS, JDC.
  12. Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Amato, Garcia, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

Showing 12 most recent of 22 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source