Bill Text: HI HB570 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Children.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-01-22 - Referred to HSH, JUD, FIN, referral sheet 4 [HB570 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB570-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
570 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO CHILDREN.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that child abuse victims
have as much a right to a speedy trial as do defendants. The speedy
trial clause of the sixth amendment to the United States
Constitution provides in pertinent part as follows: "In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial . . ." This is to protect the defendant from delay
between the presentation of the indictment or similar charging instrument and
the beginning of trial.
The website of the Hawaii family
courts states, "Established by statute in 1965, the Family Court's mission
is to provide a fair, speedy,
economical, and accessible forum for the resolution of matters involving
families and children." (Emphasis
added.) The legislature further finds
that the term "speedy" is not limited to the right to a speedy trial
for adult perpetrators of child abuse, but also confers a right to a speedy
trial for child abuse victims.
The legislature also finds that
the failure to provide a speedy trial to child abuse victims further
traumatizes the child, who may develop childhood memories of a haunting
assault, particularly sexual assault.
Undue delays in family court hearings may exacerbate traumatizing
memories for the child, prolong the healing process, and cause permanent
emotional damage. Additionally, over
time and as a coping mechanism, a child may suppress details of the abuse,
which are critical in the child's testimony.
The
legislature additionally finds that an independent state law enforcement agency
is needed to investigate certain child abuse cases. Locally, the murder of Peter "Peter
Boy" Kema, after he endured many years of physical abuse from his parents
is a prime example of the failure of the State's child protective
services. The case serves as one of
Hawaii's most egregious child abuse cases.
It was reported that Peter Boy and his siblings suffered years of
extreme and prolonged child abuse and neglect.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish in the department of
the attorney general a child abuse investigation unit;
(2) Allow
child abuse victims to testify via alternative methods to prevent further
emotional distress that may be caused by in-person testimony before the
defendant; and
(3) Require
an expedited disposition of cases in all criminal proceedings involving abuse
of minors.
SECTION 2. Chapter 28, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part
. CHILD
ABUSE INVESTIGATION UNIT
§28‑ Child abuse investigation unit. (a) There is established in the
department of the attorney general a child abuse investigation unit. The unit shall employ such attorneys,
investigators, and other personnel as necessary to promote the effective and
efficient conduct of the unit's activities.
Except for the attorneys, all other employees of the child abuse
investigation unit shall be subject to chapter 76.
(b) The child abuse investigation unit shall
investigate child abuse cases under chapter 587A upon referral from a court,
law enforcement agency, county prosecutor, or state department.
(c) As used in this section, "child
abuse" shall have the same meaning as "harm" under section
587A-4."
SECTION 3. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Chapter
UNIFORM CHILD WITNESS TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHODS ACT
§ -1 Short title. This chapter may be cited as the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act.
§ -2 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Alternative method" means a method by which a child witness testifies that does not include all of the following:
(1) Having the child witness present in person in an open forum;
(2) Having the child witness testify in the presence and full view of the finder of fact and presiding officer; and
(3) Allowing all of the parties to be present, to participate, and to view and be viewed by the child.
"Child witness" means an individual under the age of eighteen at the time of the testimony who has been or will be called to testify in a proceeding.
"Criminal proceeding" means a trial or hearing before a court in a prosecution of a person charged with violating a criminal law of this State or a proceeding involving conduct that if engaged in by an adult would constitute a violation of a criminal law of this State.
"Noncriminal proceeding" means a trial or hearing before a court or an administrative agency having judicial or quasi-judicial powers, other than a criminal proceeding.
§ -3 Applicability. This chapter shall apply to the testimony of child witnesses in a criminal or noncriminal proceeding; provided that this chapter shall not preclude other procedures permitted by law for a child witness to testify.
§ -4 Hearing whether to allow testimony by alternative method. (a) The presiding officer of a criminal or noncriminal proceeding may order a hearing to determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method. The presiding officer, for good cause shown, shall order the hearing upon motion of a party, a child witness, or an individual determined by the presiding officer to have sufficient standing to act on behalf of the child witness.
(b) A hearing to determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall be conducted on the record after reasonable notice to all parties, any nonparty movant, and any other person the presiding officer specifies. The child witness' presence is not required at the hearing unless ordered by the presiding officer. In conducting the hearing, the presiding officer shall not be bound by rules of evidence, except the rules of privilege.
§ -5 Standards for determining whether a child witness may testify by alternative method. (a) In a criminal proceeding, the presiding officer may permit a child witness to testify by an alternative method only in the following situations:
(1) A child witness may testify other than in an open forum in the presence and full view of the finder of fact if the presiding officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child witness would suffer serious emotional distress that would substantially impair the child witness' ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to testify in the open forum; or
(2) A child witness may testify other than face-to-face with the defendant if the presiding officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child witness would suffer serious emotional distress that would substantially impair the child witness' ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to be confronted face-to-face by the defendant.
(b) In a noncriminal proceeding, the presiding officer may order a child witness to testify by an alternative method if the presiding officer finds by a preponderance of the evidence that allowing the child witness to testify by an alternative method is necessary to serve the best interests of the child witness or enable the child witness to communicate with the finder of fact. In making this finding, the presiding officer shall consider:
(1) The nature of the proceeding;
(2) The age and maturity of the child witness;
(3) The relationship of the child witness to the parties in the proceeding;
(4) The nature and degree of emotional distress that the child witness would suffer in testifying; and
(5) Any other relevant factor.
§ -6 Factors for determining whether to permit alternative method. If the presiding officer determines that a standard under section -5 has been met, the presiding officer shall determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method by considering:
(1) Alternative methods reasonably available;
(2) Available means for protecting the interests of or reducing emotional distress to the child witness without resort to an alternative method;
(3) The nature of the case;
(4) The relative rights of the parties;
(5) The importance of the proposed testimony of the child witness;
(6) The nature and degree of emotional distress that the child witness would suffer if an alternative method is not used; and
(7) Any other relevant factor.
§ -7 Hearing to determine procedures for pro se
party examination of child witness. (a) If the presiding officer of a criminal
or noncriminal proceeding orders a hearing to determine whether to allow a
child witness to testify by an alternative method pursuant to
-4(a) and one of the parties is expected to be without
counsel for the examination of the child witness, the presiding officer shall also conduct a hearing to determine the
method by which a pro se party
may examine a child witness.
(b)
A hearing to determine the method by which a pro se party may examine a
child witness shall be conducted in the same manner as established under
-4(b) and may be consolidated with or immediately follow a
hearing on whether to allow testimony by alternative method pursuant to section
-4.
§ -8 Standards to determine method by which pro se
party may examine child witness in criminal proceeding. (a) In
a criminal proceeding, the presiding officer shall order a pro se party:
(1) Excluded from the presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony upon a finding by clear and convincing evidence that the child witness would suffer serious emotional distress that would substantially impair the child witness' ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to testify in the presence of the pro se party; or
(2) Excluded from the presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony and precluded from use of technology that would permit the child witness to see or hear the defendant, if the presiding officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child witness would suffer serious emotional distress that would substantially impair the child witness' ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to testify after hearing the pro se party's voice.
(b) If,
in a criminal proceeding, the court excludes the pro se party from the presence
of the child witness during the child witness' testimony and precludes the pro
se party from use of technology that permits the child witness to see or
hear the defendant, the court
shall make reasonable accommodations to permit examination of the child witness
by the pro se party by use of available technology to contemporaneously pose
questions to the child witness, including appointing a person to speak the
questions composed by the pro se party.
(c)
If the court appoints an attorney to speak the questions composed by the
pro se party:
(1) No attorney-client privileges shall form based upon the appointment; and
(2) If the case is tried to a jury, the court shall explain to the jury that the defendant is continuing to represent him or herself and that the defendant composed the questions asked by the attorney.
§ -9 Standards to determine method by which pro se party may examine child witness in a noncriminal proceeding. (a) In
a noncriminal proceeding, the presiding officer may order a pro se party:
(1) Excluded from the presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony if the presiding officer finds by a preponderance of the evidence that excluding the pro se party is necessary to serve the best interests of the child witness or enable the child witness to communicate with the finder of fact; or
(2) Excluded from the presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony and excluded from speaking or using technology so that the child witness can hear the pro se party's voice, if the presiding officer finds by a preponderance of the evidence that doing so is necessary to serve the best interests of the child witness or enable the child witness to communicate with the finder of fact.
(b) In
making the findings pursuant to subsection (a), the presiding officer shall
consider:
(1) The
nature of the proceeding;
(2) The
age and maturity of the child witness;
(3) The
relationship of the child witness to the parties in the proceeding;
(4) The
nature and degree of emotional distress that the child witness would suffer in
testifying; and
(5) Any
other relevant factor.
(c) If,
in a noncriminal proceeding, the court excludes the pro se party from the
presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony and precludes
the pro se party from speaking directly to the child witness through the use of
available technology, the court shall make reasonable accommodations to permit examination
of the child witness by the pro se party by use of available technology to
contemporaneously pose questions to the child witness, including appointing a
person to speak the questions composed by the pro se party.
(d)
If the court appoints an attorney to speak the questions composed by the
pro se party:
(1) No attorney-client privileges shall form based upon the appointment; and
(2) If the case is tried to a jury, the court shall explain to the jury that the pro se party is continuing to represent him or herself and that the pro se party composed the questions asked by the attorney.
§ -10 Order regarding testimony by alternative method. (a) An order allowing or disallowing a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall state findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting the presiding officer's determination.
(b) An order allowing a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall:
(1) State the method by which the child witness is to testify;
(2) List any individuals or category of individuals allowed to be in, or required to be excluded from, the presence of the child witness during the child witness' testimony;
(3) State any special conditions to facilitate a party's right to examine or cross-examine the child witness;
(4) State any conditions or limitations upon the participation of persons present or excluded during the taking of the testimony of the child witness; and
(5) State any other conditions for taking or presenting the testimony of the child witness.
(c) The alternative method ordered by the presiding officer shall not be more restrictive of the rights of the parties than is necessary under the circumstances to serve the purposes of the order allowing a child witness to testify by alternative method.
§ -11 Right of parties to examine child witness. An alternative method ordered by the presiding officer shall permit a full and fair opportunity for examination and cross-examination of the child witness by each party.
§ -12 Uniformity of application and construction. In applying and construing this chapter, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it."
SECTION 4. Chapter 587A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§587A‑ Authority of the attorney general to investigate. The department of the attorney general may intervene to investigate the circumstances in any adjudication."
SECTION 5. Chapter 806, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§806‑ Expedited proceedings; continuances;
trial. (a) In
all criminal proceedings involving an offense under section 707-730, 707-731,
707-732, 707-733, or 707-733.6 perpetrated against a minor, or any other proceedings
involving a minor victim or minor witness of any physical abuse, the court and
the prosecution shall take appropriate action, including setting the case for
priority in the court docket, to ensure a prompt trial in order to minimize the
length of time a minor must endure the stress of the minor's involvement in the
proceedings.
(b) In deciding whether to grant a continuance, the court shall take into consideration the age of the minor and the potential adverse impact the delay may have on the minor's well-being; provided that no more than three continuances shall be permissible by either party; provided further that a trial shall commence within twelve months of the charge or indictment.
(c) The court shall impose sanctions against an attorney for the defense who is unprepared to commence trial."
SECTION 6. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 7. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.
SECTION 8. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Child Abuse; Attorney General; Investigation Unit; Expedited Criminal Proceedings; Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act
Description:
Establishes in the department of the attorney general a child abuse investigation unit. Allows the department of the attorney general to intervene in adjudications in family court. Enacts the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act, which authorizes courts to allow for children to testify in a place other than an open forum or away from the finder of fact, court, or parties. Requires the court and the prosecution to take appropriate action to ensure a prompt trial in order to minimize the length of time a child abuse victim or minor witness must endure the stress of the child's involvement in the proceedings.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
