Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1261: 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 20-year sentences without parole for sex trafficking, removes consent defense, and increases fines - aligns with stricter sentencing policies opposing reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1388: RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses law enforcement labor shortages by enabling retiree employment as investigators without benefit loss, directly supporting staffing needs in criminal justice agencies.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows retirees to work without losing retirement benefits in labor shortage investigator roles, protecting their employment rights and addressing workforce needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1746: RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION.

HB 1746 establishes a rapid DNA investigative lead program within the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), allowing officers to quickly test DNA evidence from crime scenes to identify suspects. The bill appropriates funding to support this program, directly affecting HPD operations and criminal investigations. Key provisions include creating a dedicated unit to process DNA samples rapidly (within hours instead of weeks) to generate investigative leads. This program aims to expedite solving violent crimes by leveraging immediate DNA analysis, with no mention of broader public impact beyond law enforcement use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds rapid DNA program for HPD to expedite solving violent crimes, enhancing law enforcement investigative efficiency within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 483: RELATING TO HAWAII COVERT OPERATIONS.

Establishes the Hawaii Covert Operations Against Smuggling and Transnational Threats program with the Department of Law Enforcement to combat smuggling of drugs and weapons and human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes new law enforcement program targeting drug/weapons smuggling and trafficking, strengthening enforcement efforts against specific crimes per bill's purpose.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 664: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank. Moves the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Office of the Attorney General to the Department of Law Enforcement. Replaces the Attorney General with the Director of Law Enforcement as Chair of the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission and includes the Attorney General as a commission member. Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prevention programs, grants, and resource banks focused on reducing gun violence through community outreach, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1364: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL COSTS.

Makes emergency appropriations for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary for payroll and fringe benefits of affected Department of Law Enforcement personnel. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides emergency funding for law enforcement payroll and benefits, directly increasing government spending on essential personnel costs within budget management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds law enforcement personnel payroll and benefits, directly supporting operational capacity within criminal justice system per bill's emergency appropriations for Department of Law Enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 569: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires all department schools to offer community policing programs including DARE, LEEP, and PAL. Authorizes the department of education to work with the department of law enforcement and local police departments to implement the programs. Requires a faculty liaison.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires schools to implement community policing programs (DARE, LEEP, PAL), promoting police-community engagement and prevention-focused criminal justice initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 307: RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes right to record police, enabling public accountability and civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3106: RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING.

Includes correctional workers as protected participants in peer support counseling sessions, giving them the same confidentiality protections provided to law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends confidentiality protections to correctional workers in peer support counseling, strengthening staff well-being within corrections (a core criminal justice component).85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends confidentiality protections to peer support counseling for correctional workers, strengthening mental health service access and protections per healthcare topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 614: RELATING TO HATE CRIMES.

Defines "reported hate crime". Requires reporting of all possible reported hate crimes to appropriate authorities, including consistent documentation and analysis of such incidents. Requires law enforcement officers to receive annual training to identify, investigate, and document hate crimes and possible hate crimes. Requires the Attorney General to establish or update guidelines, protocols, and training materials for the reporting and investigation of hate crimes and possible hate crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates hate crime training and reporting protocols, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

Track