Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2185: RELATING TO SPORTS OFFICIALS.

Authorizes the Department of Education to retain private counsel to represent a sports official in certain civil proceedings to obtain a temporary restraining order in response to incidences where the sports official has been assaulted or threatened in the course of legally discharging their sports official duties. Includes substantial bodily injury of a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties in the offense of assault in the first degree. Clarifies that a sports official includes a school administrator, league administrator, or athletics director. Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill elevates assault on sports officials to a class B felony, strengthening criminal penalties for violence against protected personnel within the justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 676: RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free communication services for inmates, prohibits profit from such services, and sets quality standards - supports rehabilitation and reduces recidivism risk in correctional facilities.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2369: RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for community-based organizations under Judiciary services, directly funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community-based organizations supporting Judiciary's mandate, including access to justice (a criminal justice reform indicator), with inflation protections to strengthen service delivery in courts/criminal justice system.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2356: RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a certificate of rehabilitation to offenders who have satisfied all sentencing and post-release requirements. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with government and private stakeholders to conduct public education regarding the certificates. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with state agencies to increase offenders' eligibility for security clearance in post-release employment with the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables employment for reentering offenders via certificates, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support and stakeholder collaboration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 677: RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates ID assistance for inmate reentry, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1263: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

HB 1263 establishes a Rehabilitation and Re-entry Services Task Force to develop programs helping people transition back into communities after prison. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and state correctional systems by requiring the task force to create and report on re-entry strategies to the Legislature. Key provisions include appropriating state funds for the task force's work and mandating annual reports to lawmakers. The bill would take effect on July 1, 3000, though this date appears to be a placeholder error in the abstract.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes task force for re-entry programs, funds rehabilitation, mandates reports - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1376: RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce the number of individuals incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates reduction of private, out-of-state incarceration, a direct reform measure to decrease reliance on for-profit corrections and promote systemic change in criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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