HRS §346-398
Where and when to file a petition for extended foster care
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗After a young adult signs a voluntary care agreement, the state's child welfare department must file a petition in the county where the young adult lives within 30 days. The court then holds a hearing within 15 days to decide if extending foster care is best for the young adult, and sets a review within 180 days.
courtsstate agencies
The statute, as written — Petition; venue
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) Within thirty days after the voluntary care agreement is signed, the department shall file with the court in the county where the young adult resides a petition invoking the jurisdiction of the court under this part, which shall contain: (1) The young adult's name, date of birth, and current address; (2) A statement of facts that supports the eligibility of the young adult for foster care services that includes the following: (A) The reasonable efforts made to achieve permanency for the young adult; and (B) The reasons why it is in the best interest of the young adult to extend foster care services; and (3) A copy of the signed voluntary care agreement. (b) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall open a young adult voluntary foster care case for the purpose of determining whether extending foster care services is in the young adult's best interests. The court shall conduct a hearing and make its determination no later than fifteen days after the filing of the petition. (c) The court shall set a periodic review to be held within one hundred eighty days after the signing of the voluntary care agreement.
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