SB 1520 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Summary

Establishes an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (HD1)

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Apr 2, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1520_HD1 → SB1520_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the legislative version of SB 1520 from House Draft 1 to Senate Draft 1, incorporating specific text changes to strengthen protections against domestic abuse in court-ordered mediation. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new subsection allowing alleged victims to bring a supporting person (such as an attorney) to mediation sessions, which was not explicitly included in the previous draft. The bill also clarifies the definition of domestic abuse and updates formatting to align with Senate standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on paternity and divorce proceedings, but the applicability is broadened by explicitly granting the right to have a supporting person present during mediation for victims of domestic abuse.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new provision allowing alleged victims of domestic abuse to have a supporting person of their choice, including an attorney, attend mediation sessions.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition clause to clarify that 'domestic abuse' retains the same meaning as defined in section 586-1.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill header and metadata to reflect the Senate Draft version, including updated author names and revision numbers.

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 3, 2025

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 448).

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa.

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1436) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Takenouchi.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 363) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

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.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 10:01AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 497) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors