SB 2678 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Summary

Establishes a working group within the Judiciary to improve family court processes, including access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2678 → SB2678_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version updates the legislative metadata to reflect a new sponsor and SD1 status, while substantively refining the bill's text to improve clarity and inclusivity. The changes include rewording the bill's purpose to emphasize state-level support, adjusting the composition of a new working group to include individuals with lived experience rather than just experts, and adding a provision to compensate these lived-experience members.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on improving child welfare processes, but the specific composition of the advisory working group has been expanded to include members with lived experience in the system.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata to change the sponsor from Chris Kobayashi to Noah Holck and the status from HB to SD1.

DEFINITION

Rephrased the bill's purpose statement to clarify that the vision is for the State to support families and protect children.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the working group requirements to include 'individuals with lived experience' instead of just 'experts with lived expertise' and added a new category for members with needed expertise to be invited by co-chairs.

Adjusted the description of a working group member from someone who 'serves' as a guardian ad litem to someone who 'formerly served' in that role.

FISCAL

Added specific funding language to compensate members of the working group who have lived experience in the child welfare system.

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

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2501) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

6 primary · 0 co-sponsors