HB 1962 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Summary

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (SD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Jun 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1962_HD2 → HB1962_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised from a House Draft version to a Senate Draft version, updating metadata such as the author, bill number, and revision history. The most significant substantive change is the effective date of the Act, which was moved from a distant future date of July 1, 3000, to 'upon its approval,' allowing the new domestic abuse mediation rules to take effect immediately. Minor text edits were also made to clarify the conditions under which mediation is permitted in cases involving domestic abuse allegations.

Scope change

The scope of applicability remains focused on domestic abuse and family law proceedings, but the timing of when these rules apply has shifted from a hypothetical future date to immediate implementation upon legislative approval.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000, to 'upon its approval,' enabling immediate enforcement of the new mediation restrictions.

TECHNICAL

Metadata fields including the bill author, bill number, and revision history were updated to reflect the transition from the House Draft (HD2) to the Senate Draft (SD1).

REQUIREMENT

Minor wording adjustments were made to the conditions regarding domestic abuse allegations and protective orders to improve clarity in the mediation exemption criteria.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Muraoka voting no (3) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).

lower

Apr 23, 2026

Introduced

House agrees to Senate amendment(s).

lower

Apr 16, 2026

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 646) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3170) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-26 1:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 328).

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 371-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

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, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 3

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

35 primary · 0 co-sponsors