Department of the Attorney General

Act 156 of 2023 directs the Department of the Attorney General to convene a task force to recommend amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statutes to update existing parentage laws that reflect outdated concepts of families, parenthood, conception and gestation, and parental rights.  Act 156 requires that the task force include the following members:

1. A representative from the department of the attorney general, who shall serve as chairperson;
2. The director of the health, or the director’s designee;
3. A member of the Hawaii state commission on the status of women;
4. A member of the Hawaii state commission on fatherhood;
5. A family court judge;
6. A family law attorney;
7. A health care professional familiar with hospital and birthing center procedure experience;
8. A mental health professional familiar with post-adoption experience;
9. An individual with personal knowledge of adoption-related health and medical issues;
10. An individual with personal knowledge of surrogacy; and
11. Any other member as recommended by the task force.

The task force shall submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than forty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.  The task force shall be dissolved on December 31, 2025.

Meeting Notices, Agendas, and Materials
Meeting Minutes
Reports to the Legislature