# Hawaii SB 798: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

Hawaii SB 798, RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Karl Rhoads (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-01-29 (The committee on HHS deferred the measure.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB798-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 798
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-01-29, The committee on HHS deferred the measure.
- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: DHS, CWS, Oversight Commission, Reports, Appropriations, HHS, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes a Child Welfare Services Branch (CWS) Oversight Commission within the Department of the Attorney General to review and assess case management procedures, training, staffing levels and other support given to CWS and address issues identified in the 2024 Auditor's Report on CWS and make recommendations on actions to reduce child harm and death and for legislation, funding, and other needs for CWS to support the goals of the Commission. Requires annual status reports to the Legislature. Dissolves the Commission on 6/30/2028. Appropriates funds.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2025-01-29: The committee on HHS deferred the measure. (Senate)
- 2025-01-24: The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-23: Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB798_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB798_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB798_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB798_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [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-SB798-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).