Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 26: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC STAFFING SHORTAGES, EXPANDED STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE ESCALATING FISCAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTING AT STATE COURTS.

This Senate Resolution requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii state courts. The group would examine how the Department of Law Enforcement has expanded duties without matching increases in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to reliance on private security contractors. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, and the attorney general to evaluate solutions for stabilizing public security staffing and reducing long-term costs of private contracts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates working group to address staffing shortages and security challenges, improving court operations and law enforcement capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 29: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC STAFFING SHORTAGES, EXPANDED STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE ESCALATING FISCAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTING AT STATE COURTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a working group to address staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii state courts. The bill focuses on the Department of Law Enforcement's Sheriff Division, which is responsible for securing court facilities but faces persistent vacancies and increased duties without sufficient personnel. The working group will evaluate how to realign staffing levels with expanded responsibilities, improve recruitment and retention, and reduce reliance on private security contractors. Members will include top officials from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, and finance to develop structural solutions for long-term fiscal stability and public accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes working group to address staffing shortages and security challenges in courts, enhancing law enforcement capacity and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 93: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PREVENTION, INTERVENTIONS, AND PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

This bill requests the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and the Legislative Reference Bureau to create a working group focused on improving protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The group will include representatives from law enforcement, legal offices, service providers, and survivors to review policies in other states and recommend changes to Hawaii law. The working group must submit a report with its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2028 session begins and will be dissolved by the end of 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse through enhanced law enforcement and legal protections, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 121: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INCREASE PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR DOG ATTACKS ON LIVESTOCK.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state agencies to strengthen penalties and enforcement for dog attacks on livestock. It directly affects livestock producers in Hawaii who face financial losses when their animals are harmed by uncontrolled dogs. The bill does not create new laws but formally requests the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to review and increase penalties and enforcement measures for these incidents. The resolution is intended to address the economic and emotional impacts livestock producers experience from dog attacks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to strengthen penalties and enforcement for dog attacks on livestock, aligning with enhancing law enforcement accountability and protection of property rights.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 198: FINDING THAT "EXCITED DELIRIUM" AND "EXCITED DELIRIUM SYNDROME" ARE NOT MEDICAL DIAGNOSES RECOGNIZED BY ANY LEADING MEDICAL OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION AND REQUESTING ALL STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO REFRAIN FROM INDICATING "EXCITED DELIRIUM" OR "EXCITED DELIRIUM SYNDROME" AS A CAUSE OF DEATH.

This bill asks state and county government agencies to stop using "excited delirium" or "excited delirium syndrome" as a cause of death on official records. It is based on the finding that these terms are not recognized as valid medical diagnoses by major medical organizations and lack consistent diagnostic criteria. The resolution requests that government entities only use scientifically proven diagnoses when documenting deaths, particularly those involving law enforcement interactions. This change aims to ensure that death certificates and incident reports reflect medically accepted causes rather than unofficial terminology.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes police accountability by requiring accurate medical documentation, preventing misuse of unvalidated diagnoses in law enforcement death records.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes use of scientifically validated medical diagnoses, protecting patient rights and ensuring accurate health records by rejecting unproven medical terms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 119: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO EXPAND THE AGRICULTURAL ENFORCEMENT PILOT PROGRAM TO THE ISLANDS OF KAUAI AND MAUI.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing agricultural enforcement pilot program to the islands of Kauai and Maui. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and farmers across Hawaii who face challenges from agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, and vandalism. The key provision is a formal request to extend the pilot program's scope from its current locations on Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui, aiming to strengthen enforcement efforts in those areas. This resolution does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks the department to apply an already established program to additional islands.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands agricultural enforcement pilot program to address crimes like trespassing, theft, and vandalism, strengthening law enforcement capabilities in affected areas.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 140: SUPPORTING HAWAII'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND GREATLY APPRECIATING THE SACRIFICES MADE TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

This is a House Resolution, not a bill, and it does not create new laws or change policy. It is a formal expression of appreciation and support for law enforcement officers in Hawaii, acknowledging their sacrifices and the challenges they face. The resolution calls for increased resources, better training and equipment, stronger penalties for offenses against officers, and expanded mental health support, though it does not mandate specific actions or allocate funding. It is directed to state and local law enforcement leaders to recognize the need for improved officer safety and well-being.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expresses strong support for law enforcement, calls for increased resources, better training, and stronger penalties for offenses against officers, directly advancing criminal justice protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 70: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. The bill aims to improve road safety by adding a specialized enforcement unit that would supplement existing county police efforts. If established, this force would be trained to handle highway incidents, clear crash scenes quickly, and enforce traffic laws more effectively. The resolution directs these two state agencies to collaborate on the initiative, though it does not mandate funding or specific operational details.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes specialized highway police force to improve road safety and traffic law enforcement, strengthening law enforcement capabilities within criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates state highway police force to improve road safety and traffic law enforcement, directly advancing transportation safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 138: URGING THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE OF "EXCITED DELIRIUM", OR SIMILAR PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS, AS A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, CAUSE OF DEATH, OR LEGAL THEORY IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

This bill is a House Resolution that urges Hawaii state and local officials to stop using "excited delirium" as a medical diagnosis, cause of death, or legal theory. It directly affects law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, courts, and county governments across Hawaii by calling for the prohibition of this term in official records and legal proceedings. The resolution states that "excited delirium" is not recognized by major medical organizations or included in standard diagnostic manuals, and it requests that medical and legal decisions instead rely on scientifically validated principles. Named the Haleck Resolution in memory of a veteran who died during a law enforcement encounter, it asks county mayors and council chairs to adopt this guidance to ensure accountability and accurate reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill opposes pseudoscientific use of 'excited delirium' in law enforcement, promoting accountability and protecting civil rights in criminal justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill opposes pseudoscientific medical diagnosis 'excited delirium' to protect patient rights and ensure accurate medical documentation in healthcare and legal contexts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 113: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INCREASE PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR DOG ATTACKS ON LIVESTOCK.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen penalties and enforcement actions against dog attacks on livestock. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who raise animals in Hawaii, aiming to address financial losses from uncontrolled dogs harming their herds. The resolution does not change laws directly but formally requests state agencies to review and enhance their existing measures for protecting livestock from dog attacks. It highlights the economic importance of livestock production and the severe impacts of dog attacks on producers. The document is a formal request rather than a law, so it has no immediate legal effect pending agency response.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requests increased penalties and enforcement for dog attacks on livestock, strengthening law enforcement response to property crimes affecting farmers.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Agriculture

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