Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1962: Relating to Family.
Status: Signed into law, June 5, 2026
Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to family.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY. SECTION 1. Chapter 584A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as exeinption from mediation in parentage proceedings. (a) In contested parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse, the court shall not require a party alleging the domestic abuse to participate in any component of any mediation program against the wishes of that party. The court may order mediation or refer the parties to mediation only if: (1) Mediation is authorized by the alleged victim of the domestic abuse; and (2) Mediation is provided, in a specialized manner that protects the safety of the alleged victim, by a mediator who is trained in the field of domestic abuse. 2026-1760 HB1962 SDl SMA.docx 1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Page 2 H.B. NO 1962 H.D. S.D. (b) A mediator who receives a referral or an order from a court to conduct mediation shall screen for the occurrence of domestic abuse between the parties. A mediator shall not engage in mediation when it appears to the mediator, or when either party asserts, that domestic abuse has occurred, unless: (1) Mediation is authorized by the alleged victim of the domestic abuse; and (2) Mediation is provided, in a specialized manner that protects the safety of the alleged victim, …
Sponsors
- Hartsfield, Daisy (D, 36) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Luke Evslin (D, 16)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Mark Hashem (D, 19)
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
Latest actions
- : Act 089, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1189).
- : Act 089, 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1189).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 823).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Muraoka voting no (3) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1).
- : House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
- : Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 815).
- : Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
Votes
- Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Muraoka voting no (3) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1) (April 23, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in SD 1 with Representative(s) Pierick voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Muraoka voting no (3) and Representative(s) Evslin excused (1) (April 23, 2026): 47 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HHS: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 18, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, 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) (March 10, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Exemption, Penalties, Family
Common questions
- What is HB1962?
- HB1962 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Family.
- What does HB1962 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to family.
- What is the status of HB1962?
- Signed into law as of June 5, 2026. Latest action: Act 089, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1189). (June 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1962?
- Hartsfield, Daisy (D, 36), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1962?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1962&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.