This bill extends the sunset date for Hawaii's habitual violent crime law, originally set to expire in 2027, to June 30, 2031. It requires the attorney general to submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2027, detailing statistics on arrests, charges, and case outcomes for repeat violent offenders without revealing personal information. Additionally, the bill mandates a one-time comprehensive evaluation by the Criminal Justice Research Institute by 2031 to assess the law's effectiveness in reducing violent crime before it is allowed to expire. These changes ensure that policymakers have sufficient data to determine whether the enhanced penalties for repeat offenders should be made permanent or adjusted.
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)
Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Repeals exemptions for sexual assault of a minor if the perpetrator is married to the minor. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 1758 removes the requirement that prosecutors prove a perpetrator knew an elderly victim was vulnerable due to age in felony assault cases. This change directly affects elderly crime victims and prosecutors handling assault cases where the victim's age is a factor. The bill simplifies prosecution by allowing felony assault charges to be filed based solely on the victim's age, without needing to establish the perpetrator's knowledge of that age. It modifies the legal standard for aggravated assaults against elderly individuals.
SB 2886 adds third- and fourth-degree sexual assault to the list of crimes with no statute of limitations for prosecution. This means prosecutors can file charges for these specific sexual assault offenses at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. The bill directly affects victims of these crimes by removing time barriers for legal action and impacts prosecutors by expanding their ability to pursue cases. It does not change other crime categories or introduce new penalties, only extending the timeframe for prosecution of these particular offenses.
SB 2252 changes how felony assaults involving elderly victims are prosecuted. Currently, prosecutors must prove the attacker knew the victim was elderly to charge the assault as aggravated. This bill removes that requirement, making it a felony assault simply because the victim is elderly, regardless of the attacker's knowledge. It directly affects elderly crime victims, prosecutors, and courts handling such cases. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.
HB 1340 would automatically impose stricter penalties for crimes committed against individuals aged 60 or older, regardless of the offender's intent. It directly affects anyone committing assault, abuse, or similar offenses against seniors by triggering enhanced sentencing under existing laws when the victim's age is known. The key provision modifies how courts handle such cases - requiring harsher penalties solely based on the victim's age, without needing to prove the offender targeted seniors specifically. The bill is currently pending, having been introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 legislative session.
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)
HB 1063 proposes to classify intentionally causing bodily injury to a National Guard member while they are performing official duties as a class C felony. This bill directly affects individuals who assault Guard members during service, increasing the legal consequences for such actions. The key provision raises the penalty for these specific assaults from a lower offense to a felony, reflecting the seriousness of harming personnel on duty. The bill is currently pending introduction in the 2025 session and has not yet been voted on by any committee.
Elevates criminal penalties for assaults committed against educational workers and sports officials, while preserving appropriate judicial discretion at sentencing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
