Opinion ID: 2581004
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Pursuant To The Statutory And Regulatory Scheme Underlying The IDEA And HRS Chapter 587, The Family Court Lacked Subject Matter Jurisdiction To Order The DOE To Place John In The Eighth Grade.

Text: The DOE argues on appeal (1) that the family court lacked the authority to enter an order in violation of the IDEA, see supra note 2, and the Felix consent decree, see supra note 3, and (2) that the family court is a court of limited jurisdiction, which does not extend to deciding the educational placements of children. In response, the GAL contends (1) that the family court has inherent authority under HRS Chapters 571 and 587, see supra notes 4 and 5, to order the DOE to place John in the eighth grade, (2) that the family court is obligated to assist John's legal custodian in remedying the problems that put the child at substantial risk of harm, and (3) that administrative review was unavailable and the IEP process was stalemated, effectively denying John his right to due process of law, thereby supplying an additional basis for the family court to intervene. We agree with the DOE. As further discussed infra, we apply our reasoning in In re Doe Children, which addressed the scope of the family court's subject matter jurisdiction by determining whether the family court could appropriately (1) exercise judicial review of the DOE's administrative proceedings pursuant to the IDEA or (2) act as a court of primary jurisdiction pursuant to state law, on grounds independent of the IDEA. [28] 96 Hawai'i at 284-89, 30 P.3d at 890-95.