SB 117 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO DEFAMATION.

Summary

Protects individuals who make claims of sexual misconduct from defamation lawsuits unless the claims were proven to be made with malice. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB117 → SB117_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from an House bill (HB) to a Senate bill (SD), updating the internal tracking numbers and template versions. The effective date was changed from 'upon approval' to a specific future date of April 23, 2057, and a new effective date tag was added to the summary of the sexual misconduct protections.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on protecting individuals from defamation lawsuits regarding sexual misconduct claims, with no changes to the substantive legal protections or eligibility criteria.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from 'upon approval' to a fixed date of April 23, 2057.

TECHNICAL

A specific effective date tag ('Effective 4/23/2057') was added to the summary text regarding sexual misconduct protections.

The bill type was changed from House Bill (HB) to Senate Bill (SD), updating associated metadata and template versions.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 89) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Keohokalole, Kim, McKelvey, Richards, San Buenaventura . Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 9, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors