Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2274: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Repeals statutory language that currently authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals DLE inspection/suspension powers for medical cannabis, reducing enforcement and criminalization of medical use.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals inspection requirement for medical cannabis records, protecting patient-provider confidentiality and supporting access to medical cannabis care under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2517: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Amends the penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order by reclassifying the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes class C felony penalty for firearm violations under protective orders, expanding criminalization of firearm possession in domestic violence contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2417: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables SNAP access for incarcerated individuals post-release, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2192: RELATING TO CRIME.

Doubles the fines and terms of imprisonment for illicit drug sellers and distributors who commit their offenses within 100 feet of schools or public parks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDoubles fines/terms for drug offenses near schools/parks, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 240: RELATING TO OVERDOSE PREVENTION.

Establishes and provides criteria for overdose prevention centers, including standards for the Department of Health to designate certain facilities as overdose prevention centers. Establishes an Overdose Prevention Center Oversight Committee. Provides immunity from state criminal prosecution for certain offenses for persons using a designated overdose prevention center and persons operating a designated overdose prevention center.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from criminal prosecution for overdose prevention centers, reducing criminalization of drug use and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 953: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or producing, manufacturing, or selling cannabis products without a license from the Department of Health. Prohibits individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in unlicensed cannabis operations. Requires the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators. Establishes criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes criminal penalties for unlicensed cannabis operations, expanding criminalization in medical cannabis regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2419: RELATING TO HEALTH.

SB 2419 amends the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to exclude drug testing products (like home test kits or workplace screening tools) from the legal definition of "drug paraphernalia." This change directly affects individuals and businesses using these products, such as employers conducting drug screenings or healthcare providers administering tests. The bill’s key mechanism is a specific statutory revision that removes these items from a category historically subject to criminal penalties. It does not alter drug use laws but clarifies that testing tools themselves are not illegal under current drug paraphernalia statutes. The bill is currently in committee referral with no further action taken.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves drug testing products from 'drug paraphernalia' definition, eliminating criminal penalties for their use. This reduces unnecessary criminalization, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 285: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns. Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimums for ghost gun felonies, increasing sentencing severity without reform elements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 957: RELATING TO OVERDOSE PREVENTION.

Establishes and provides criteria for overdose prevention centers, including standards for the Department of Health to designate certain facilities as overdose prevention centers. Establishes an Overdose Prevention Center Oversight Committee. Provides immunity from state criminal prosecution for certain offenses for persons using a designated overdose prevention center and persons operating a designated overdose prevention center. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from criminal prosecution for overdose center users/operators, reducing criminal penalties for drug use in harm reduction context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2363: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

HB 2363 expands eligibility for "assisted community treatment" to include repeat petty offenders. This program provides community-based support (like counseling or supervision) instead of jail time for individuals with behavioral health needs. The bill changes eligibility rules to cover people with multiple minor offense convictions. It directly affects repeat petty offenders by offering treatment alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands community treatment alternatives to jail for repeat petty offenders with behavioral health needs, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health treatment access via community support for behavioral health needs, replacing incarceration for repeat offenders, directly strengthening mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Mental Health

Track