Hawaii Senate Bill SCR76

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23

Caption

Requesting The Judiciary To Conduct A Study On Existing Laws, Policies, And Procedures That Are Designed To Assist And Protect Pro Se Parties With Physical And Intellectual Disabilities.

Impact

The proposed study aims to provide insights into how well current legal frameworks protect individuals with disabilities, who are disproportionately low-income and often lack access to legal representation. With 19% of adults in Hawaii reported to have a disability, the need for legal protections is emphasized in the resolution. This study may lead to legislation that enhances these protections, providing a clearer pathway for legislative action to improve the rights and support for individuals who are pro se in legal settings.

Summary

SCR76 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii that requests the Judiciary to conduct a comprehensive study on the existing laws, policies, and procedures aimed at assisting and protecting pro se parties with physical and intellectual disabilities. The resolution highlights the significant challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when navigating the legal system, particularly the difficulties that arise from representing themselves in court without legal counsel due to various socio-economic barriers.

Contention

While the resolution appears to be well-received as a necessary measure to safeguard the rights of vulnerable populations, there may be contention in discussions around the effectiveness of existing programs and the potential need for reform. Critics may argue about the adequacy of resources allocated for such studies or the implementation of any recommendations emerging from the findings, particularly concerning how efficiently these recommendations can translate into actionable policy changes.