Hawaii establishes a two-year probate and family court guardianship pilot program with funded resources for indigent respondents

Original title: RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP SERVICES.

Last action · December 8, 2025: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.Sponsor: Karl Rhoads

Companion · HB 648same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

SB 788 establishes a two-year pilot program in the Probate Court and Family Court of the First Circuit to fund court resources for and cases where respondents lack sufficient funds, effective April 23, 2057.

Why it matters

Low-income individuals involved in First Circuit probate or family court proceedings gain access to state-funded court resources for and matters, backed by legislative appropriations and mandatory reporting.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Respondents lacking sufficient funds

Eligible to receive state-funded guardianship and conservatorship court resources deemed beneficial by the court.

Directly affected

Judiciary

Must administer the pilot program within the First Circuit and submit required reports to the Governor and Legislature.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for funded court resources under this pilot program?

Respondents in and cases within the First Circuit's Probate Court or Family Court who lack sufficient funds to pay for resources, provided the court deems the resources beneficial.

What reporting requirements are mandated by the bill?

The Judiciary is required to submit reports regarding the pilot program to the Governor and the Legislature.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

8 actions

Dec 8, 2025Hawaii State Legislature
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Feb 12, 2025Senate
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 372) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Feb 12, 2025SenateFloor
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Jan 31, 2025SenateCommittee
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
Jan 27, 2025Senate
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
Jan 23, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to JDC, WAM.

Show 2 earlier actions

Jan 21, 2025SenateIntroduced
Passed First Reading.
Jan 17, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced.

Version history

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