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SB2481 • 2026

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Children
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
GABBARD, CHANG, RHOADS, San Buenaventura
Last action
2026-01-28
Official status
Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

What This Bill Does

  • RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.
  • DHS; Child Welfare Services; Interviews; Recordings; Penalty; GRACIE Act Requires the Department of Human Services to record any child welfare interview conducted by the Department when administering certain child welfare services.
  • Requires the Department to store the recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions.
  • Prohibits the sharing of the recordings unless certain conditions are met.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-28 S

    Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM.

  2. 2026-01-22 S

    Passed First Reading.

  3. 2026-01-22 S

    Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.
DHS; Child Welfare Services; Interviews; Recordings; Penalty; GRACIE Act
Requires the Department of Human Services to record any child welfare interview conducted by the Department when administering certain child welfare services. Requires the Department to store the recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions. Prohibits the sharing of the recordings unless certain conditions are met. Establishes criminal penalties for violating prohibitions against sharing of the recordings.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB2481

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2481

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to child welfare services
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 346-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

����
"
�346-51
�
Public assistance and child welfare services
administered by department.
�
(a)
�

The department of human services shall administer public assistance and
child welfare services in the several counties except for payments administered
under the federal supplemental security income program or its successor
agency.
�
No person shall be denied the
right to petition the department for additional assistance as established under
section 346-53(f).

����
(b)
�

When administering child welfare services necessary for the protection
and care of an abused or neglected child or a child in danger of becoming
delinquent, the department shall:

����
(1)
�
Record
any child welfare interview conducted by the department through:

���������
(A)
�
An electronic video recording;

���������
(B)
�
Body camera video; or

���������
(C)
�
Any other reasonable means of recording;

����
(2)
�
Securely
retain and store the recording required pursuant to paragraph (1):

���������
(A)
�
For a minimum of five years; and

���������
(B)
�
In a manner with access controls and role-based permission
management; and

����
(3)
�
Not
release the recording required pursuant to paragraph (1) to any third party
except:

���������
(A)
�
As necessary to conduct an investigation pursuant to section
587A-11 or for the prosecution of a criminal offense; or

���������
(B)
�
Unless a court orders otherwise, to a caregiver or guardian upon
the caregiver's or guardian's request in connection with a judicial proceeding.

����
(c)
�

Any person or employee of the State who violates subsection (b)(3) shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�

This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that
were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION 3.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHS;
Child Welfare Services; Interviews; Recordings; Penalty; GRACIE Act

Description:

Requires
the Department of Human Services to
record any child welfare interview
conducted by the Department
when administering certain child welfare services.
�
Requires the Department to store the
recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions.
�
Prohibits the sharing of the recordings
unless certain conditions are met. Establishes criminal penalties for violating
prohibitions against sharing of the recordings.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.