Informing the Legislature that on May 22, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1518 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 028).

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Human Services to implement a new process that allows people currently in prison or jail to apply for food assistance before they are released. The state is required to work with correctional facilities to help these individuals complete applications so that benefits can start immediately upon their return to the community. Additionally, the law removes the existing restriction that barred people convicted of drug-related felonies from receiving these benefits unless they had completed a treatment program. By eliminating this barrier and establishing a pre-release application system, the bill aims to improve food security for formerly incarcerated individuals without changing any other aspects of the program.