reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
HI Rev Stat § 577E-4 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|577E. Commission on Fatherhood|577E-4 Duties.

  §577E-4 Duties. The commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to state agencies to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children. In addition, the commission may make recommendations on programs, services, and contracts relating to children and families, and may:  (1) Act as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental and nongovernmental activities and information relating to the promotion of healthy families;  (2) Identify promising best practices that support and engage both parents in the emotional and financial support of their children;  (3) Identify obstacles that impede or prevent the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children;  (4) Raise public awareness of the consequences that the absence of the father may cause in a child's life;  (5) Recommend policies and practices, both within and without state government, that sustain and reengage fathers in the lives of their children;  (6) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs designed to educate and train young men who are both current and future fathers as to effective parenting skills, behaviors, and attitudes;  (7) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs that promote fatherhood;  (8) Promote, foster, encourage, and otherwise support programs that counter poverty and low income by increasing the capacity of fathers to overcome personal challenges and become productive, independent, and financially responsible contributors to their family; and  (9) Do any and all things necessary to carry out its duties and the purposes of this chapter. [L 2003, c 156, pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232, pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1]
HI Rev Stat § 577E-5 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|577E. Commission on Fatherhood|577E-5 Meetings.

  §577E-5 Meetings. The meetings of the commission shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 92. [L 2003, c 156, pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232, pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1]
HI Rev Stat § 577E-6 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|577E. Commission on Fatherhood|577E-6 Exemption from administrative supervision of boards and commissions.

  §577E-6  Exemption from administrative supervision of boards and commissions. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commission shall be exempt from section 26-35 with the exception of section [26-35(a)(2), (3), (7), and (8)]. [L 2003, c 156, pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232, pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1]
HI Rev Stat § 577E-7 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|577E. Commission on Fatherhood|577E-7 Administration of funds.

  §577E-7 Administration of funds. The commission shall administer funds appropriated or allocated for its work and shall be authorized to accept, disburse, and allocate funds that may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all such funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with any specific designation stated by the donor and, in the absence of any specific designation, the funds shall be disbursed or allocated on projects related to any of the purposes of this chapter. [L 2003, c 156, pt of §2; am L 2005, c 148, §2; ree L 2006, c 232, pt of §1; am L 2007, c 190, §1]
HI Rev Stat § 578-1 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-1 Who may adopt; jurisdiction; venue.

  §578-1 Who may adopt; jurisdiction; venue. Any proper adult person, not married, or any person married to the legal father or mother of a minor child, or a husband and wife jointly, may petition the family court of the circuit in which the person or persons reside or are in military service or the family court of the circuit in which the individual to be adopted resides or was born or in which a child placing organization approved by the department of human services under the provisions of section 346-17 having legal custody (as defined in section 571-2) of the child is located, for leave to adopt an individual toward whom the person or persons do not sustain the legal relationship of parent and child and for a change of the name of the individual. When adoption is the goal of a permanent plan recommended by the department of human services and ordered pursuant to section 587A-31, the department may petition for adoption on behalf of the proposed adoptive parents. The petition shall be in such form and shall include such information and exhibits as may be prescribed by the family court. [RL 1945, pt of §12271; am L 1947, c 47, §1; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-1; am imp L 1965, c 232, §1; HRS §578-1; am L 1969, c 183, §2; am L 1973, c 211, §3(a); am L 1976, c 194, §1(1); am L 1992, c 190, §3; am L 2010, c 135, §4] Rules of Court  Pleadings, see HFCR rule 103. Case Notes  Family court had jurisdiction over adoption of children residing in Philippines since petitioners were Hawaii residents. 421 F. Supp. 80 (1976).  In the absence of an adoption in writing parents are presumed not to have parted with the right of custody over their child. 6 H. 386 (1883).  Until legally adopted parent not precluded by surrender of child from asserting parental rights. 31 H. 328 (1930).  Child not "surrendered" by one parent when custody awarded by divorce decree to other parent, consent of such parent must be obtained for adoption of child. 32 H. 443 (1932).  Child not "abandoned" by mother who lives apart from husband. 32 H. 479 (1932).  "Abandoned" defined. 37 H. 532 (1947).  Adoption proceedings are wholly statutory. 45 H. 69, 361 P.2d 1054 (1961).  Cited: 42 H. 129, 137 (1957); 42 H. 640, 655 (1958).
HI Rev Stat § 578-1.5 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-1.5 Adoption.

  §578-1.5 Adoption. Any person may be adopted under this chapter; provided that an adult to be adopted must give written consent to the adoption. [L 1976, c 194, §1(11); gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 166, §1]
HI Rev Stat § 578-3 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-3 Custody of child pendente lite.

  §578-3 Custody of child pendente lite. At any stage of the proceeding subsequent to the filing of the petition and prior to the entry of a decree, the court, upon a showing that the best interests of the child will be served thereby, may order that the petitioner or petitioners shall be entitled to retain the custody and control of the child and shall be responsible for the care, maintenance and support of the child including any necessary medical or surgical treatment, pending the further order of the court. Such order may also authorize and legally obligate the petitioner or petitioners to arrange for the burial of the child if the child shall die prior to the entry of the decree. [RL 1945, pt of §12271; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; am L 1955, c 132, §1; RL 1955, §331-3; HRS §578-3; am L 1969, c 183, §4; am L 1973, c 211, §3(c)]
HI Rev Stat § 578-4 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-4 Notice to resident nonconsenting legal parent whose rights have not been terminated.

  §578-4 Notice to resident nonconsenting legal parent whose rights have not been terminated. If a legal parent to whom notice must be given as aforesaid is within the State, a summons issuing under the seal of the court and containing a notification as to the time and place of hearing, shall be served by the sheriff or the sheriff's deputy, any police officer, or any person authorized by court rule, upon such parent by the delivery to the parent of a certified copy thereof, and of the petition for adoption; or in case the parent cannot be found, by leaving copies of the summons and petition with some agent or person transacting the business of the parent, or by leaving such copies at the parent's last known place of residence. When service is made pursuant to this section, the time appointed for the hearing of the petition shall be not less than ten days subsequent to the date of service as herein provided. [L 1919, c 3, pt of §1; RL 1925, §3035; RL 1935, §4521; RL 1945, §12272; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-4; am L 1963, c 85, §3; HRS §578-4; gen ch 1985; am L 1989, c 211, §10; am L 1990, c 281, §11; am L 1994, c 8, §1] Cross References  Sheriff, etc., see §26-14.6. Rules of Court  Summons, see HFCR rule 4.
HI Rev Stat § 578-5 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-5 Same; proof of.

  §578-5 Same; proof of. A return of service of the summons shall be made by the serving officer in the manner prescribed by section 634-22, and be similarly effective. [L 1919, c 3, pt of §1; RL 1925, §3036; RL 1935, §4522; RL 1945, §12273; RL 1955, §331-5; HRS §578-5] Revision Note  Section "634-22" substituted for "634-58".
HI Rev Stat § 578-6 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-6 Notice to nonresident or unlocated nonconsenting legal parent whose rights have not been terminated.

  §578-6 Notice to nonresident or unlocated nonconsenting legal parent whose rights have not been terminated. If a legal parent to whom notice must be given as aforesaid was never an inhabitant of the State, or has removed therefrom, or if, after due diligence, the parent cannot be found within the State, and the fact appears by affidavit to the satisfaction of the court, it may be ordered by the court that the service be made under section 578-7. [L 1919, c 3, pt of §1; RL 1925, §3037; RL 1935, §4523; RL 1945, §12274; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-6; HRS §578-6; am L 1973, c 211, §3(d)]
HI Rev Stat § 578-7 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-7 Substituted or constructive service.

  §578-7 Substituted or constructive service. Upon the filing of the affidavit referred to in section 578-6, the court may order service of the notice prescribed in sections 578-2 and 578-4 to be made as follows:  (1) Personal service or service by registered mail without the State. If the residence of a nonresident legal parent is known or is ascertained at any stage of the proceeding prior to the filing of a return of service pursuant to section 578-5, the court may order that service of notice of the time and place of hearing of the petition and of a copy thereof and of a copy of the court's order be made upon the parent by:  (A) Personal service thereof, without the State, by a person and in a manner as the court may direct; or  (B) Sending certified copies of the petition and of the notice of the time and place of the hearing thereof and of the court's order, by registered mail, addressed to the parent, with request for return receipt, which service, evidenced by the receipt signed by the parent and returned to the clerk of the court, shall be regarded as equivalent to service by publication or in lieu thereof.  When service is made pursuant to this paragraph, the time appointed for the hearing of the petition shall be not less than twenty-one days subsequent to the date of service as provided in this paragraph.  (2) Service by publication. If the residence of a parent is not known and cannot be ascertained, or if an attempt to effect service by either of the methods authorized in paragraph (1) is unsuccessful, the court may order that service shall be made by publication. The order shall direct that publication of notice of the pendency of the petition and of the time and place of the hearing thereof be made in a newspaper or newspapers suitable for the advertisement of notices of judicial proceedings once in each week for not less than four successive weeks as the court may prescribe, the last publication to be not less than twenty-one days prior to the time appointed for the hearing of the petition. The court, in addition to ordering publication, may direct that a copy of the petition and notice be forthwith deposited in the post office, addressed to the parent at the parent's last known place of residence. The service of the notice required by section 578-2 shall be deemed complete at the expiration of the time prescribed by the order of publication. [L 1919, c 3, pt of §1; RL 1925, §3038; am L 1931, c 74, §1; RL 1935, §4524; RL 1945, §12275; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-7; HRS §578-7; am L 1973, c 211, §3(e); gen ch 1985; am L 2018, c 18, §47] Cross References  Service by certified mail, see §1-28.
HI Rev Stat § 578-9 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-9 Custody of minor child after decree and before adoption.

  §578-9 Custody of minor child after decree and before adoption. The decree may provide that, during the period, if any, between the entry thereof and the effective date of adoption, the care, custody, and control of a minor child be given to the petitioner or petitioners, who, in such event, shall be liable during such period for the care, maintenance, and support of the minor child and for its torts in the same manner as legal parents, and may further provide for the supervision and visitation of the minor child by the director of human services or the director's agent during such period and for such reports in connection therewith as the court may require. [RL 1945, pt of §12276; am L 1945, c 40, pt of §1; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-9; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §20; HRS §578-9; am L 1973, c 211, §3(g); am L 1976, c 194, §1(4); gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 339, §4]
HI Rev Stat § 578-10 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-10 Disposition of minor child on discontinuance, withdrawal or denial of petition.

  §578-10 Disposition of minor child on discontinuance, withdrawal or denial of petition. Upon the discontinuance or withdrawal or denial of any petition for adoption, the court may make appropriate temporary orders concerning the care, custody and control of a minor child involved and may refer the minor child to the department of human services or to another appropriate agency or officer for action as in the case of a minor subject to section 571-11(1). [RL 1945, pt of §12276; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-10; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §20; am imp L 1965, c 232, §1; HRS §578-10; am L 1973, c 211, §3(h); am L 1976, c 194, §1(5); am L 1987, c 339, §4] Rules of Court  Disposition of minor child on dismissal, etc., see HFCR rule 115.
HI Rev Stat § 578-11 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-11 Disposition in case of death of petitioners.

  §578-11 Disposition in case of death of petitioners. Notwithstanding the death of a petitioner or the petitioners during the pendency of the petition, the court, if it finds that the best interests of the individual to be adopted will be served thereby, and, in the case of a surviving petitioner, that such petitioner so desires, may enter a decree of adoption as prayed for in the petition, effective as of the date of the filing of the petition. [RL 1945, pt of §12276; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-11; HRS §578-11; am L 1973, c 211, §3(i); am L 1976, c 194, §1(6)]
HI Rev Stat § 578-12 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-12 Setting aside or modifying decree.

  §578-12 Setting aside or modifying decree. At any time within one year from the date of entry of any decree of adoption, the court may, for good cause, set aside or modify the decree and, in connection therewith, may make appropriate orders, concerning the custody of the minor child and the disposition and handling of the record of adoption by the department of health. The setting aside or modification of any decree of adoption shall not affect any property rights which have become vested between the date of the entry of the decree or the effective date of the decree and the effective date of any order setting aside or modifying the decree of adoption.   No decree of adoption shall be subject to attack in any collateral proceeding, and, after the expiration of one year from the date of its entry, no decree of adoption shall be subject to direct attack upon any ground other than fraud rendering the decree void as of the time of its entry. [RL 1945, pt of §12276; am L 1945, c 40, pt of §1; am L 1947, c 47, §2; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-12; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §578-12; am L 1973, c 211, §3(j)] Case Notes  Review of decree: Persons entitled to petition for review, and to appeal from court's determination. 45 H. 69, 361 P.2d 1054 (1961).  Decree may not be attacked after one year except on the ground of fraud. 1 H. App. 364, 619 P.2d 1092 (1980).
HI Rev Stat § 578-13 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-13 Change of name.

  §578-13 Change of name. The court may fix or change the given name and the family name of an adoptive minor child to the name stipulated by the adoptive parents or that name which is in the best interest of the child.  The court may fix or change the given name and family name of an adoptive individual who is an adult at the time of the filing of the petition for adoption to the name stipulated by the adoptive parents or that name which is in the best interest of the adult. [RL 1945, pt of §12276; am L 1945, c 40, pt of §1; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-13; HRS §578-13; am L 1973, c 211, §3(k); am L 1976, c 194, §1(7); am L 1987, c 278, §2] Case Notes  Change of family name is mandatory. 45 H. 69, 361 P.2d 1054 (1961).
HI Rev Stat § 578-14 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-14 Record of adoption.

  §578-14 Record of adoption. (a) A certified copy of the decree of adoption, or a certified abstract thereof on a form approved by the department of health, after the decree has become effective, shall be sent to the department. The department shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the name of the individual, as fixed or changed by the decree, with the names of the adoptive parents and, upon request of both adoptive parents, or the sole adoptive parent if there is only one, that the name or names of either or both of the natural parents appear on the certificate, with the name of a natural parent who consents to be named on the certificate.  (b) If a new birth certificate is issued, the original birth certificate shall be sealed and filed with the decree or the abstract thereof, and the sealed package shall be opened only as provided in section 578-15(b).  (c) If the birth of the individual occurred outside of the State and a record of birth exists, the certified copy of the decree or the abstract thereof, shall be transmitted by the department of health to the birth registration authorities of the place of the individual's birth with a request that those authorities take appropriate action with respect to the record of the individual's birth. If the birth of the individual occurred outside of the State, or if the birth of an individual born in the State has not been registered with the department of health, or if other good cause exists, the clerk of the court, upon request, and with the approval of the family court, upon the finding of the court that the action is for the best interests of the individual involved, shall furnish to the adoptive parents, or to the individual, or to any proper person acting in their behalf, a certified copy or abstract of the decree of adoption or a certificate of adoption in a form approved by the court. If the parental rights of a parent or the parents of a minor child have been judicially terminated under chapter 571 prior to the entry of the decree, a certified copy of the decree shall be filed in the termination proceeding. [L 1945, c 40, pt of §2; am L 1947, c 47, §3; am L 1949, c 328, §1; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-14; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §19; HRS §578-14; am L 1973, c 211, §3(l); am L 1976, c 194, §1(8); am L 1980, c 153, §7; am L 1990, c 338, §4] Cross References  Records and documents, see §338-20. Rules of Court  New birth certificates, see HFCR rule 112. Law Journals and Reviews  Privacy v. Secrecy: The Open Adoption Records Movement and Its Impact on Hawai`i. 15 UH L. Rev. 483 (1993). Case Notes  Agreement of adoption not recorded, of no validity. 7 H. 273 (1888).  Provision for new record cited. 49 H. 273, 276, 283, 414 P.2d 925 (1966).  Cited: 45 H. 69, 80, 361 P.2d 1054 (1961).
HI Rev Stat § 578-15 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-15 Secrecy of proceedings and records.

  §578-15 Secrecy of proceedings and records. (a) The records in adoption proceedings, after the petition is filed and prior to the entry of the decree, shall be open to inspection only by the parties or their attorneys, the director of human services or the director's agent, or by any proper person on a showing of good cause therefor, upon order of the court. Except in the case of an individual being adopted by a person married to the legal father or mother of the individual or unless authorized by the court, no petition for adoption shall set forth the name of the individual sought to be adopted or the name of either of the parents of the individual; provided that the legal name of the individual and the name of each of the individual's legal parents may be added to the petition by amendment during the course of the hearing thereof and shall be included in the decree. The hearing of the petition shall be in chambers and shall not be open to the public.  (b) Upon the entry of the decree, or upon the later effective date of the decree, or upon the dismissal or discontinuance or other final disposition of the petition, the clerk of the court shall seal all records in the proceedings; provided that upon the written request of the petitioner or petitioners, the court may waive the requirement that the records be sealed. The seal shall not be broken and the records shall not be inspected by any person, including the parties to the proceedings, except:  (1) Upon order of the family court upon a showing of good cause;  (2) After the adopted individual attains the age of eighteen and upon submission to the family court of a written request for inspection by the adopted individual or the adoptive parents;  (3) After the adopted individual attains the age of eighteen and upon submission to the family court of a written request for inspection by the natural parents;  (4) Upon request by the adopted individual or the adoptive parents for information contained in the records concerning ethnic background and necessary medical information; or  (5) Upon request by a natural parent for a copy of the original birth certificate. As used in this subsection, "natural parent" means a biological mother or father, or a legal parent who is not also the biological parent.  (c) The clerk of the court shall keep a docket of all adoption proceedings, which may be inspected only by order of the family court. [L 1945, c 40, pt of §2; am L 1953, c 115, pt of §1; RL 1955, §331-15; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §20; HRS §578-15; am L 1973, c 211, §3(m); am L 1976, c 194, §1(9); gen ch 1985; am L 1987, c 339, §4; am L 1990, c 338, §5; am L 1991, c 45, §1; am L 2016, c 80, §2] Rules of Court  Confidentiality, see HFCR rule 79. Law Journals and Reviews  Privacy v. Secrecy: The Open Adoption Records Movement and Its Impact on Hawai`i. 15 UH L. Rev. 483 (1993). Case Notes  Cited: 45 H. 69, 79, 361 P.2d 1054 (1961).
HI Rev Stat § 578-17 (2021)
2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes|Title 31. Family|578. Adoption|578-17 Guardian ad litem.

  §578-17 Guardian ad litem. Upon a finding by the court, in any stage of a proceeding under this chapter, that the best interests of a child whose adoption is sought herein will be served by the appointment of a guardian ad litem for said child, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to preserve, protect and promote the best interests of the child. [L 1975, c 117, §1(2)] Rules of Court  Guardians ad litem, see HFCR rule 17(c).