We believe that knowledge is power and highly suggest that those involved in the child welfare arena know  the laws, rules and procedures that are in place to guide the system in helping ensure that all children in Hawaii have a safe family home.  The links below include the actual  laws, rules and procedures as well as documents developed to present some of this information in a “user friendly” fashion.

LAW:   CHAPTER 587A Child Protective Act 

Click here to go to go the the state’s website with the acts posted individually or click here to view the entire Act in one document with links.

Law Changes -H.R.S – a fact sheet that highlights changes made to 587.

RULES:  Click here to go to Hawai‘i Administrative Rules for programs.  Administrative rules supply guidelines by which the Department implements programs it administers. In Admin. Rule 17-625 you will find rules for the “Licensing of Foster Family Homes for Children”.  In Admin. Rule 17-1617, you find information regarding “Foster Care Maintenance and Related Payments”. Another that you might find helpful is Admin. Rule 17-1601.  Here you will find info on “Confidentiality”.

PROCEDURE:  Click here to get to Hawai‘i Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Procedure Manual.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie with some of the adult supporters of Senate Bill 1340