Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2280: RELATING TO FORFEITURE.

Extends the period during which a surety, surety insurer, or bail agent may file a motion or application to set aside the bond or recognizance forfeiture from thirty days to ninety days. Ensures that proper notice of a bail forfeiture judgment is provided to a surety or bail agent. Affirms that a judge may impose financial conditions of release and maintain full discretion to consider individual circumstances. Allows a surety or bail agent to apply to set aside a forfeiture, even if a prior motion has been filed. Subjects bail bond forfeiture proceedings to Rule 60 of the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. Prohibits forfeiture from being ordered in any felony case.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends time for bail agents to challenge forfeitures, promoting procedural fairness in bail system without restricting defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2725: RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Establishes the offense of prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor. Authorizes a victim of female genital mutilation to bring a civil action for damages under certain conditions. Amends the statutory definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm" to include prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates criminal offense for FGM of minors, expands child abuse definitions, and enables civil remedies - strengthens legal protections under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2290: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

By January 1, 2027, requires each law enforcement agency operating in the State to maintain a publicly available policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers and use of facial coverings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public policies on officer identification and facial coverings, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2886: RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS FOR CRIMES.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for sexual assault, enabling victims to pursue justice regardless of time elapsed, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2062: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the efficient processing of temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds enforcement of gun violence protective orders and public awareness campaigns, directly strengthening criminal justice efforts to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2124: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

HB 2124 makes it a misdemeanor offense to fail to report bribery when witnessed. This law directly affects individuals who observe bribery, such as employees or public officials in positions where they might encounter such acts. The bill establishes a legal requirement to report bribery to authorities, with misdemeanor penalties for non-compliance. It does not change existing bribery laws but adds a new reporting obligation for witnesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting of bribery to strengthen accountability and aid prosecution, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators by enhancing oversight of public officials.85% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2824: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 2824 creates a new misdemeanor offense for individuals who fail to report known bribery. Specifically, it requires public officials or employees who witness or learn about bribery to report it to authorities, and not doing so becomes a punishable offense. The bill directly affects government employees, contractors, and others with potential knowledge of bribery in public contexts. This policy change establishes a clear legal duty to report bribery incidents, adding a new layer of accountability to existing anti-bribery laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public officials to report bribery, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system by preventing corruption among officials.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 594: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS.

SB 594 changes the law to make it easier to prosecute crimes against seniors by removing the requirement that a perpetrator must know or reasonably should know the victim is 60 years or older. This bill directly affects seniors who are victims of crimes, as it shifts the legal standard for certain offenses. The key provision eliminates the need for prosecutors to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age, making it a stricter standard for crimes committed against seniors. The bill is currently pending in committee, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates knowledge requirement for prosecuting crimes against seniors, strengthening protections and enhancing penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Tags Seniors

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2382: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15,000 retention bonuses for law enforcement, directly funding staffing needs through state budget authority per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers to address staffing shortages, strengthening frontline operations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, supporting compensation and subject to collective bargaining negotiations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining

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