RELATING TO FAMILY COURTS.
SB 691 establishes that children under the age of 12 cannot be formally charged or adjudicated in court for alleged or attempted violations of law. This directly affects minors under 12 who might otherwise face family court proceedings for minor legal infractions. The key provision sets a clear minimum age threshold, shifting responsibility away from court adjudication for this age group. The bill focuses on altering the legal process for youth, not on funding, penalties, or other policy elements.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 17, 2025
Signed May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB691_HD1
→
SB691_SD1
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill establishes a minimum age of twelve for juvenile delinquency adjudication in Hawaii, meaning children under twelve cannot be formally charged with crimes. The change aligns Hawaii with international human rights standards by recognizing that young children lack the capacity to form criminal intent. It also adds procedural protections requiring psychological evaluation before adjudicating children under twelve and mandates that court documents in these cases be framed as being in the child's interest rather than against them.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of juvenile court jurisdiction by setting a minimum age threshold of twelve years old, previously there was no minimum age specified in Hawaii law.
ELIGIBILITY
Establishes a minimum age of twelve for juvenile delinquency adjudication, preventing children under twelve from being formally charged with crimes.
REQUIREMENT
Requires written recommendation from a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, or qualified physician before any child under twelve can be adjudicated under section 571-11(1).
Mandates that petitions and court documents involving children under twelve must be titled and framed as being in the child's interest rather than against them.
ENFORCEMENT
Added specific language to section 571-21(f) prohibiting filing of petitions alleging violations of law against children under twelve.
TECHNICAL
Includes metadata and formatting changes from the legislative tracking system (dates, bill numbers, amendment identifiers).
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
31
Key actions
6
Committee
7
Amendments
2
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Final Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fevella, Ihara).
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Introduced
Reconsideration of action taken on 04-03-25 in disagreeing to the House amendments.
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Amended
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 438).
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia.
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to JHA, referral sheet 20
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 19
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 184) in amended form (SD 1).
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-07-25 9:25AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
Re-Referred to JDC.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to HHS, JDC.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 691
Scope: HI
Hi! I can help you understand SB 691. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline