Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 45: URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION TO RELEASE ALL FEDERAL RECORDS RELATED TO THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN INVESTIGATIONS WITH LIMITED REDACTIONS SOLELY TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND SAFETY OF VICTIMS.

This Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution urges the President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims. The bill responds to concerns that current federal actions have either exposed victim identities or withheld information about individuals involved in the crimes. It calls for full transparency regarding who was connected to Epstein and how the abuse network operated, while requesting that Congress compel implicated individuals to testify under oath. The resolution is a non-binding statement of intent rather than a law that directly changes federal policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks transparency in criminal justice investigations and victim protection, promoting accountability in law enforcement and judicial processes.75% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 180: URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION TO RELEASE ALL FEDERAL RECORDS RELATED TO THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN INVESTIGATIONS WITH LIMITED REDACTIONS SOLELY TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND SAFETY OF VICTIMS.

This Senate Resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims. It directly addresses the U.S. executive and legislative branches, calling for full transparency in government documents that have been mishandled by the Department of Justice. The resolution specifically requests that the Department of Justice stop releasing unredacted victim identities while also removing unnecessary redactions on the names and communications of other individuals involved in the case. Additionally, it asks Congress to investigate and compel testimony from all individuals implicated in the Epstein files.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes transparency in criminal justice investigations and calls for accountability in government document handling, supporting criminal justice reform and oversight.90% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

This House Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request is based on concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits available space for other needed placements. The resolution directs the Senior Advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these populations and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This measure focuses on improving coordination among state agencies to address placement shortages rather than changing existing laws or funding levels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health services for criminal defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through better treatment options.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services by expanding capacity at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, directly improving patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 136: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO RESTORE THE PRIOR FORMAT, ORGANIZATION, AND SUBSTANTIVE COMPLETENESS OF THE COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

This Senate resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. Department of State to restore the previous format and content of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The bill directly affects the State Department and international observers who rely on these reports to monitor human rights conditions globally. It calls for the inclusion of previously covered topics such as prison conditions, corruption, restrictions on speech and assembly, and other abuses that were reportedly reduced in recent versions. The resolution emphasizes that comprehensive reporting is essential for accountability and transparency in documenting human rights violations worldwide.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to restore comprehensive human rights reporting including prison conditions and corruption, enhancing accountability and oversight in criminal justice systems.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 139: REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

This Senate Resolution requests that the federal government provide supplemental funding to increase pay for adult corrections officers working for Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill aims to address severe staffing shortages and high turnover rates by using federal money to improve compensation, including base pay and retention incentives. It does not directly change state law or spending but serves as a formal appeal to federal officials for financial assistance to support public safety workforce stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks federal supplemental funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages through financial assistance.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks federal funding to improve compensation for corrections officers, addressing staffing shortages and retention issues in the criminal justice system.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks federal funding to increase compensation for corrections officers, directly supporting worker wages and addressing staffing shortages through improved pay.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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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