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SCR 36

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 2 co-sponsors

Hawaii study request examines costs and benefits of creating a dedicated Office of the Child Advocate to potentially improve child welfare oversight and representation.

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Bill Summary · SCR 36

Legislative bill overview

SCR 36 requests that Hawaii's Department of Human Services conduct a comprehensive study examining the financial costs and operational benefits of establishing a new Office of the Child Advocate. The study would evaluate what such an office would cost to operate and what benefits it might provide to children in Hawaii's systems.

Why is this important

A dedicated Child Advocate office could provide centralized oversight and representation for children involved with the state, potentially improving outcomes in child welfare, education, and justice systems. This study is a preliminary step that would help lawmakers understand whether creating such an office is financially feasible and whether the expected benefits justify the investment.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost concerns: The study itself requires funding, and some may question spending resources on research before knowing if the proposed office is affordable or necessary
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what "benefits" would be measured, leaving unclear what success would look like or how to compare it against other child welfare investments
  • Existing structures: Hawaii may already have child advocacy functions dispersed across multiple agencies, raising questions about whether consolidation is truly needed or if resources would be better spent strengthening existing programs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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