HB 994 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF PROMOTING PORNOGRAPHY FOR MINORS.

HB 994 changes how the crime of promoting pornography for minors is prosecuted by allowing charges to be filed through written documents instead of requiring a grand jury indictment. This directly affects individuals who distribute or promote such material to minors, making it easier for prosecutors to initiate criminal cases. The key provision replaces the previous requirement for a formal indictment with a simpler written information process. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2025, advancing toward potential enactment.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Apr 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB994 → HB994_HD1 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill amends Hawaii's criminal procedure law to allow prosecutors to charge the offense of promoting pornography for minors using written information instead of a formal complaint. This change is important because it enables faster prosecution of offenders caught in large-scale undercover operations where minors are solicited for sexual activities online.

Scope change

The bill expands the types of criminal charges that can be filed quickly through written information, specifically adding the offense of promoting pornography for minors to the list of charges that previously required formal complaint procedures.

ENFORCEMENT

Amended section 806-83 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to include the offense of promoting pornography for minors (section 712-1215) in the list of charges that can be instituted by written information, enabling faster prosecution in undercover operations.

TECHNICAL

Updated statutory references in the exception list to reflect current Hawaii Revised Statutes section numbers, including changes to related offenses like commercial sexual exploitation of a minor.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

21

Key actions

5

Committee

5

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 318).

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role

Legislator

Party

State

District

Nadine Nakamura