How to become a supervised visitation provider in Hawaii

Hawaii law lets courts order supervised visitation, but there is no statewide license for providers. The court order in each case decides who may supervise. This guide covers what Hawaii law says, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What Hawaii law says about supervised visitation

Where a parent has committed family violence, the court may order visitation supervised by another person or agency, and must set conditions when a family or household member supervises. (HRS § 571-46)

Read your court order closely in every case. It can name who may supervise, set conditions, and say who pays.

Key facts for providers in Hawaii

Hawaii law expects supervised visitation centers to offer a secure setting, with staff trained in security and family violence prevention.
Hawaii's Judiciary uses federal access and visitation money for supervised visitation and exchange on Oahu.

Reporting child abuse in Hawaii

Listed professionals must report, including health, school, social service, law enforcement, court, child care and clergy. (HRS § 350-1.1)

Know how to make a report in Hawaii before your first visit, and explain your reporting duty to both parents at intake. Stopping a visit to keep a child safe always comes first.

Recording visits in Hawaii

Hawaii's rules on recording conversations have limits and exceptions. (A participant may record a conversation (HRS § 803-42(b)(3)(A)), but installing a recording device in a private place requires the consent of everyone entitled to privacy there (HRS § 711-1111(1)(d)).)

Many providers don't record visits at all. If you do, get written consent from both parents at intake, and follow the court order.

Where families and referrals come from in Hawaii

Most families look for a provider right after a judge orders supervised visits. Family law attorneys, mediators, court self help centers and state funded programs are the people they ask first.

Every state receives a federal Access and Visitation grant for services like supervised visitation, neutral exchanges and parenting plans. Where Hawaii's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

State Access and Visitation Program (Hawaii State Judiciary (Family Court, First Circuit)) Federal grant funds supervised visitation and exchange at a secure center on Oahu for families dealing with domestic violence.
Hawaii State Judiciary Self-Help: Divorce Forms, free seminars and the Kids First program.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Hawaii

Check your county family court's website and self help center for local rules or provider lists.
Complete training in child safety, domestic violence awareness, neutral observation, report writing and ending a visit safely. The Supervised Visitation Network publishes practice standards many providers follow.
Get a background screening and liability insurance. Families, attorneys and some courts expect both even where Hawaii law doesn't require them.
Set your rates, service area, visit locations and cancellation policy, and write a services agreement and intake form. Have a Hawaii attorney review them.
Introduce yourself to local family law attorneys, mediators and the court's self help center, and ask how to join any provider list.
List your services where families search, so they can see your rates and book you online.

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Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change, and this information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Confirm it with a licensed attorney in your state before you rely on it.