Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2494: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires citations be visible on an offender's criminal record. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates citations for petty offenses, requires arrest documentation, and limits warrantless arrests - directly advancing accountability and reducing unnecessary arrests per reform goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1626: RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Encourages the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fees/fines on minors/families for juvenile offenses, discharges debt, and promotes restorative community service - aligning with juvenile justice reform to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2250: RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding homeless facilities to prohibited zones for promoting controlled substances, increasing drug offense penalties in vulnerable areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2377: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

Establishes the offense of criminal property damage to critical infrastructure facilities as a class C felony. Expands the term "critical infrastructure" to include broadband, wireless, and cable networks. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies property damage to critical infrastructure as a felony, expanding criminalization of property offenses85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands critical infrastructure to include broadband networks, protecting internet infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity safeguards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2448: RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

HB 2448 criminalizes female genital mutilation (FGM) performed on minors within the state, establishing it as a punishable offense. The bill directly affects minors who are victims of FGM and provides them with civil remedies, including legal options to seek compensation. Key provisions include defining FGM on minors as a criminal act and creating a pathway for victims to pursue civil claims against perpetrators. This legislation focuses on preventing harm to minors and offering legal recourse, without specifying enforcement details or penalties beyond the criminal and civil frameworks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCriminalizes FGM on minors with penalties and civil remedies, enhancing victim protection and legal accountability within criminal justice framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2589: RELATING TO DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

Clarifies that negligent homicide in the first degree shall include situations where a person causes the death of another person while operating a vehicle without a valid license. Establishes that a violation of this provision shall be a class B felony, with escalation to a class A felony when the person has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years. Clarifies what constitutes a prior conviction for driving without a valid license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties to Class A felony and vehicle forfeiture for driving without license, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per oppose indicators.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for dangerous driving without license causing death, enhancing road safety through stricter enforcement of vehicle regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1708: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies highly intoxicated driving as class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per DUI offense standards.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for DUI while highly intoxicated, directly enhancing traffic safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2092: RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment as a misdemeanor when committed against certain public servants in connection with their performance of a governmental function. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by elevating harassment against public servants to misdemeanor, per indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2600: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

HB 2600 allocates state funds to hire one full-time Deputy Public Defender III position within the Office of the Public Defender. This bill directly affects the Office of the Public Defender by providing budgetary resources to support its staffing needs. The legislation is purely procedural, focusing solely on funding a specific staff position without altering legal standards or procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for a Public Defender position, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds a public defender position, directly supporting defendant representation and rights in criminal justice system without altering legal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1665: RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature pertaining to the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree. Expands the definition of "terroristic threatening" to include any form of written or electronic communication. Includes additional protected classes that designate the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree as a class B felony. Amends the offense of obstructing government operations to include obstructing the performance of a governmental function by an educational worker acting in an official capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of online threats against protected groups, increasing penalties to Class B felony, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyExpands criminal penalties for social media posts under 'terroristic threatening,' restricting online expression and electronic communications.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track