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HRS §346-19.8

Disability cannot be the only reason to deny a petition

The department cannot deny a petition just because a person has a disability. If it does deny, it must explain in writing. The person claiming the disability harms parenting must show a clear link between the disability and the specific parenting problem.

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The statute, as written — Department standards and requirements; disability

The department shall not consider the disability of a person to be the sole factor in making a determination under section 346-17 or section 346-19.7. If the department makes a determination to deny the petition of a disabled person under section 346-17 or section 346-19.7, the department shall make specific written findings stating the basis for the determination. The party attempting to demonstrate that the disability impairs a person's ability to parent must prove that the disability is a factor, and demonstrate a clear nexus between the disability and the alleged parental deficiency.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§346-17 Rules for foster care organizations and homes

§346-19.7 Adoptive parent standards and background checks

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.