Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 278: RELATING TO POLICING.

Requires county police departments and police oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding police stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division of the Department of the Attorney General. Requires the Division to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires police data collection on stops/uses of force to enhance accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags Data Reporting

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1790: RELATING TO POLICING.

Establishes the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to house the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires law enforcement agencies and law enforcement oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab. 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, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and any community advisory boards. Appropriates funds for the establishment and operation of the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to support implementation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data collection on stops/uses of force to enhance police accountability, a key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 228: RELATING TO EXCITED DELIRIUM.

Prohibits excited delirium from being recognized as a valid medical diagnosis or cause of death in the State. Prohibits a medical examiner, coroner, or health care provider from stating on a certificate of death or in any report that the cause of death was excited delirium. Prohibits law enforcement officers from using the term excited delirium to describe an individual in an incident report. Establishes a new Hawaii Rule of Evidence that deems evidence that a person experienced or suffered an excited delirium inadmissible in a civil action. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans 'excited delirium' in death certificates and incident reports to prevent misuse that could shield law enforcement from accountability, aligning with police accountability reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2383: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to all eligible sworn law enforcement officers who meet specified requirements. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to verify eligibility. Appropriates funds for the payment of retention bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15,000 retention bonuses for law enforcement, increasing state spending on public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, directly supporting personnel stability within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1149: 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. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires hate crime training, consistent reporting, and accountability protocols, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protections in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 689: RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

HB 689 establishes legal protections ("safe harbor") for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical care or contact law enforcement. It directly affects survivors by shielding them from legal consequences for actions related to their exploitation, such as possession of controlled substances or minor legal violations. The bill creates a clear pathway for survivors to access necessary services without fear of prosecution. It takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract. This is a substantive policy change focused on survivor safety and access to support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 689 creates safe harbor protections for sexual exploitation survivors, shielding them from prosecution for minor acts related to exploitation. This directly advances victim-centered criminal justice reform by removing barriers to medical/legal ...95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates safe harbor for sexual exploitation survivors to access medical care without legal repercussions, directly improving healthcare access and protecting patient rights for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 595: 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 public recording right to enhance police accountability, directly aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2540: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits with certain exceptions, the use of facial coverings and requires visible identification by law enforcement officers and their vehicles in the performance of their duties. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish policies regarding state and county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from prolonging a stop to inquire about a person's civil immigration status. Establishes criminal offenses for use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer, lack of visible identification, and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible ID for officers and bans prolonging stops for immigration status, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from prolonging stops to inquire about immigration status, a direct protective measure limiting state involvement in immigration enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1189: RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been conducted on a property. Requires a law enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to post search notices and secure entrances, enhancing accountability and protecting private property rights during searches.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1114: RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION.

Repeals the one-to-one syringe limit for the needle exchange program. Authorizes the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program to provide needs-based distribution. Authorizes non-injection drug user participation in the Program. Modifies liability for exchange program participants, staff, and law enforcement officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands needle exchange program with harm reduction focus, reducing drug-related crime and promoting public health - key criminal justice reform goals that align with reducing recidivism and shifting from punishment to health-focused solutions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals syringe limits and expands access to sterile needles via harm reduction program, directly improving public health access and reducing disease transmission risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Substance Abuse

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