HB1705Introduced in the House
Relating To Child Custody.
Introduced by Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy, District 2
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. (SD2)
Where it stands
Act 231, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1333).
July 10, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · April 1, 2026
4
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Joy San Buenaventura | 2 | Yes |
| Stanley Chang | 9 | Yes |
| Karl Rhoads | 13 | Yes |
| Mike Gabbard | 21 | Absent |
| Brenton Awa | 23 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled.
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 1
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 02-03-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 310-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 02-25-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 989-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Quinlan, Sayama excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 149).
Passed First Reading.
Referred to HHS, JDC.
The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 1:10PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
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, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.
Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3129) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:30AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3763) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 606) in amended form (SD 2).
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 815).
House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823).
Transmitted to Governor.
Act 231, 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1333).
Act 231, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1333).
Verify the information
- Official page on the Hawaii Legislature website
- Testimony (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Testimony (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Testimony (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Testimony (supplement)
- Committee Report (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Amended (text)
- Amended (text)
- Amended (text)
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