Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 792: RELATING TO CRIMINAL STREET GANGS.

Establishes the offense of criminal street gang participation, solicitation, recruitment, or retention. Provides for enhanced penalties for crimes committed by a defendant while part of a criminal street gang.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes new offense for gang participation and enhances penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing per bill summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2191: RELATING TO CRIME.

HB 2191 increases penalties for repeat offenders by doubling both fines and prison sentences for individuals convicted of repeated violent crimes (like assault or robbery) or property crimes (such as burglary or theft). This bill directly affects people with prior convictions in these categories who are sentenced for new offenses. The key provision mandates that courts must apply double the standard penalties under existing law for these repeat offenses. The bill was introduced on January 26, 2026, and referred to the Judiciary and Health Affairs committee on January 30.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill doubles penalties for repeat violent/property crimes, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 129: RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES.

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. Limits court-ordered community service for a minor to no more than seventy-two hours. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits youth fees/fines, limits community service, and repeals penalties - reducing financial barriers in juvenile justice, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1486: RELATING TO PUBLIC ORDER.

Makes it a disorderly conduct offense to remain or loiter within twenty feet of a bus stop with no intent to utilize any bus service. Authorizes law enforcement officers to immediately remove any person committing a disorderly conduct offense of remaining or loitering within twenty feet of a bus stop with no intent to utilize any bus service and confiscate any of their personal property. Authorizes law enforcement officers to determine if the confiscated property is to be saved or discarded. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of loitering near bus stops, authorizes property confiscation without clear due process, and increases police enforcement powers - aligning with 'expands criminalization' and 'reduces defendant rights' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1441: RELATING TO THEFT.

HB 1441 creates a new criminal offense called "organized retail theft" for coordinated theft schemes targeting retail businesses. It sets specific penalties for this offense and establishes an organized retail theft task force to investigate and address such incidents. The bill directly affects retailers by providing new legal tools to combat large-scale theft operations and law enforcement agencies through the task force structure. Key provisions define the crime, outline penalties, and mandate the task force’s formation without specifying exact penalty levels.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new 'organized retail theft' offense with penalties, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or accountability in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2729: RELATING TO POLICING.

Requires law enforcement agencies and police oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab affiliated with the University of Hawaii. Requires the Hawaii Crime Lab to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules, in coordination with the Hawaii Crime Lab.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data collection on stops/force/complaints to enhance police accountability and transparency, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2179: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

By 1/1/2027, requires all law enforcement agencies in the State to maintain a policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers. Requires law enforcement agencies to maintain confidential, accurate records documenting each officer's adherence to the agency's visible identification policy. Prohibits state and county law enforcement agencies from assisting any law enforcement operation conducted by a federal law enforcement agency that fails or refuses to maintain a policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers that meets the standards of state law. By 1/1/2027, requires state and county law enforcement agencies to maintain a policy on the minimum requirements to cooperate with a federal law enforcement agency enforcing federal immigration laws in the State.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates officer identification policies and accountability records, enhancing police transparency and oversight per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2085: RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

HB 2085 removes a legal requirement that prosecutors must prove a perpetrator specifically intended to target an older adult during a felony assault. This change directly affects older adults (typically age 65+) who are victims of assault, making it easier to charge such assaults as felonies. The bill simplifies prosecution by eliminating the need to demonstrate the defendant's "state of mind" regarding the victim's age, meaning prosecutors can now pursue felony assault charges based solely on the victim's age without proving intent. This is a policy change to strengthen legal protections for elderly crime victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves intent requirement for elder assault prosecutions, strengthening victim protections and simplifying felony charges for vulnerable seniors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Tags Seniors

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 3072: RELATING TO THEFT.

Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration, without the possibility of parole, for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 12-month minimum sentence for high-value theft, increasing mandatory penalties without judicial discretion, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 155: RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $200,000 but no more than $500,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Specifies that a minor who commits an offense under section 712-1207(1)(a), HRS, shall be guilty of a violation instead of a petty misdemeanor. Provides that a person who reports that the person is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability for an offense involving sex trafficking or prostitution. Increases the penalties for commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. Requires DHS to implement services and programs for survivors and training for law enforcement. Appropriates funds. Requires annual report.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory maximum penalties without parole/probation for sex trafficking, restricting defendant rights and increasing criminalization per OPPOSE indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

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