# Hawaii HB 2579: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Hawaii HB 2579, RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Diamond Garcia (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-02-02 (Referred to HSH, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2579-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 2579
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-28
- Last action: 2026-02-02, Referred to HSH, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6
- Sponsor: Diamond Garcia (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 9
- Subjects: DHS, Child Welfare Services, Interviews, Recordings, Penalty, GRACIE Act, HSH, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

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.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Diamond Garcia (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: David Alcos III (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Joe Gedeon (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Ikaika Hussey (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lauren Matsumoto (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Christopher L. Muraoka (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Elijah Pierick (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: REYES ODA
- Cosponsor: Garner M. Shimizu (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Shirley Ann Templo (Democratic), House

## Actions (2)

- 2026-02-02: Referred to HSH, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6 (House)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2579_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2579_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2579_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2579_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2579-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).