STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
2025
APR 03
RE: H.R. No. 51
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was
referred H.R. No. 51 entitled:
1’HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONDUCT A STUDY
ANALYZING HOW EFFECTIVE EXISTING LAWS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS AND HARASSMENT BY STALKING ARE
IN PREVENTING CONTINUED ABUSE AND HARASSMENT,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Judiciary to
conduct a study on the effectiveness of existing laws related to
domestic violence temporary restraining orders (TRO5) and
harassment by stalking. The purpose of this study is to assess how
well these legal protections are preventing continued abuse and
harassment, and to identify areas for improvement.
Your Committee received testimony in support for this measure
from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaii
State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and from two
individuals. Your Committee received testimony for this measure in
opposition from the Judiciary. Your Committee received testimony
with comments for this measure from the Department of the
Prosecuting Attorney.
HR51 HD1 HSCR JHA
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Your Committee finds that the effectiveness of domestic
violence temporary restraining orders (TRO5) and harassment by
stalking laws is critical in protecting victims from continued
abuse. While these legal measures are intended to provide
immediate relief and prevent further harm, concerns remain
regarding their enforcement, accessibility, and overall impact on
victim safety.
By evaluating enforcement practices, survivor experiences,
and case outcomes, this study can inform future legislative
efforts to strengthen legal safeguards, improve law enforcement
training, and ensure better access to justice for survivors of
domestic violence and stalking.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Requesting the Judiciary convene a working group
consisting of the following members or their designee:
a. Each county’s law enforcement agency;
b. Each county’s prosecuting attorney;
c. The Executive Director of the Hawai~i State Commission
on the Status of Women;
d. The Executive Director of the Hawai~i State Coalition
Against Domestic Violence;
e. A nonprofit organization serving victims of domestic
violence and stalking; and
f. a victim of domestic violence and/or stalking from
each county; and
(2) Include Protective Orders in Addition to Temporary
Restraining Orders (TRO5); and
(3) Extend the reporting date to 2026; and
(4) Including Neighbor Islands and Victim Voices; and
(5) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments to the
proposed amendments for consistency, clarity, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R.
HR51 HD1 HSCR J}-{A
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No. 51, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form
attached hereto as H.R. No. 51, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Judiciary &
Hawaiian Affairs,
DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair
HR51 HD1 HSCR JHA
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 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-third Legislature
4~SC9F ISL~R’
Record of Votes of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
~ O~1OI(Z~1~
C The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: 0 Pass, unamended (as is) )~‘ Pass, with amendments (HD) C Hold
C Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
JHA Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. TARNAS, David A. (C)
2.POEPOE,Mahina (VC) V
3. BELATTI, Della Au
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4. COCHRAN, Elle ,t_Z
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5. HASHEM, Mark J.
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6..KAHALOA, Kirstin
7. PERRUSO, Amy A. V
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8. TAKAYAMA, Gregg
9. TODD, Chris
10. GARCIA, Diamond
11. SHIMIZU, Garner M. V’
. TOTAL(11)
The recommendation is: Adopted
10
~ Not Adopted I
9’
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature: ~
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerks Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO