Informing the Legislature that on April 10, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB994 HD1 (ACT 009).

This bill (HB994) amends Hawaii law to allow prosecutors to file charges for "promoting pornography for minors" (HRS §712-1215) using written information instead of requiring an in-person court appearance. It directly affects prosecutors and law enforcement conducting undercover operations targeting online exploitation of minors, as this offense previously could not be charged via written information under HRS §806-83. The change aligns this charge with other serious offenses like child sexual assault, enabling faster prosecution during large-scale internet investigations. The amendment specifically updates HRS §806-83 to include this offense in the list of charges prosecutable by written information, streamlining legal processes for cases involving minors.