HB 2096 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AGGRAVATED CIRCUMSTANCES IN CHILD PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Summary

Clarifies and expands procedures for aggravated circumstances determinations in Child Protective Act proceedings. Authorizes the Family Court to make a finding of aggravated circumstances at any stage of a Child Protective Act proceeding before the termination of parental rights, rather than limiting these findings to the return hearing. Incorporates the definition of torture under the Penal Code for purposes of defining aggravated circumstances involving child torture under the Child Protective Act. (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

May 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed May 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB2096_HD2 → HB2096_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill update primarily involves technical formatting changes and administrative metadata, such as updating the bill version from House Draft 2 to Senate Draft 1 and changing the effective date from a distant future date (July 1, 3000) to 'upon approval.' While the text includes minor character adjustments in legal descriptions of court hearings, these do not appear to alter the substantive legal requirements or policy outcomes of the legislation.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000, to upon approval, making the law immediate upon signing.

TECHNICAL

Administrative metadata was updated to reflect the transition from the House version to the Senate version, including changes to bill identifiers and revision numbers.

Minor character formatting adjustments were made within the text describing court procedures for aggravated circumstances.

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 none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) 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. 659) 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 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3334) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

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.

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:40PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 353).

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 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 530-26) 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, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; 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

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors