# Hawaii SB 2481: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Hawaii SB 2481, RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Mike Gabbard (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-28 (Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2481-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 2481
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-22
- Last action: 2026-01-28, Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM.
- Sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Subjects: DHS, Child Welfare Services, Interviews, Recordings, Penalty, GRACIE Act, HHS, JDC/WAM
- 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: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Joy A. San Buenaventura (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-28: Referred to HHS, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-01-22: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2026-01-22: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2481_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2481_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2481_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2481_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [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 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2031-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2481-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).