Criminal Justice

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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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO CREATE PLACES OF SHELTER FOR PERSONS UNDER CIVIL COMMITMENT AND FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT RISK OF RECIDIVISM.

This bill requests the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to develop a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the hospital who are at risk of returning to the justice system. The resolution addresses concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity and that existing diversion programs have not effectively reduced the jail population due to a lack of coordination between state agencies. The plan must identify suitable placements for people in civil commitment or those being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, with a report and any proposed legislation due to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, reducing recidivism and strengthening rehabilitation programs within the justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving care coordination.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 41: 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 is a non-binding House resolution from the State of Hawaii that urges the President and U.S. Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations. The document calls for releasing these documents with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims, arguing that current releases have improperly exposed victim identities while hiding information about other individuals involved. It also requests that Congress investigate and compel testimony from all individuals implicated in the Epstein case. Because this is a state-level resolution rather than federal legislation, it does not create new laws or directly affect any specific group beyond expressing the state legislature's position on federal actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes transparency in criminal justice investigations and protects victim privacy while seeking accountability in Epstein case75% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 130: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO REMOVE CANNABIS FROM THE FEDERAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT, PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STATES THAT ARE CLEARING DEFENDANTS' RECORDS OF CANNABIS OFFENSES, AND FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF BANKING SERVICES FOR CANNABIS-RELATED BUSINESSES.

This House resolution from Hawaii asks the U.S. Congress to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which currently classifies it as an illegal drug nationwide. The bill also requests federal support for states that are expunging or sealing criminal records for past cannabis offenses and seeks to allow cannabis-related businesses to access full banking services, including deposit insurance. While the resolution does not directly change federal law, it formally urges federal lawmakers to consider these policy changes to align federal rules with state legalization efforts in many parts of the country.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to decriminalize cannabis, expunge records, and support reform, directly advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 59: 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 Senate Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing bed availability at the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request stems from concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits options for those needing treatment within the criminal justice system. The resolution directs the advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these specific populations and to submit a report with findings and potential new legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate immediate policy changes but serves as a formal request for planning and coordination among state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to increase access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved care in the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health treatment at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving healthcare service availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

SB 888: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement agencies unless the user consents, the law enforcement agency obtains a judicial warrant, or there is an emergency situation involving a clear and present danger of imminent death or great bodily harm. Prohibits operators from requiring users to consent to the sharing of data with law enforcement agencies as a condition of using a smart household security device. Allows the Department of the Attorney General to bring a civil action against operators who violate certain requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data access without warrant, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform by limiting unwarranted surveillance.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized data sharing with law enforcement, requiring consent/warrant, directly enhancing data privacy protections for smart device users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Tags Consumer Protection

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 99: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

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 a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position and stationed at a public school, subject to certain conditions. Establishes criteria for various agencies to use in identifying labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables retirees to fill law enforcement roles (school resource officers) in critical positions, addressing labor shortages within criminal justice workforce needs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables retirees to fill school resource officer roles without losing benefits, addressing labor shortages in K-12 school staffing per DOE designation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement School Safety

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 609: RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

Requires the posting of informational placards on sex trafficking and resources available to victims, in public buildings and at other specified locations. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and make available a model placard. Requires the Department of Education to train teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel on the dynamics of sex trafficking and strategies for prevention and response. Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of the Attorney General to develop and implement public education and outreach events on the dynamics of sex trafficking and the importance of community involvement in prevention and response efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates prevention training and victim resources for sex trafficking, aligning with criminal justice reform by addressing exploitation and supporting victims through education and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 676: RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free communication services for inmates, prohibits profit from such services, and sets quality standards - supports rehabilitation and reduces recidivism risk in correctional facilities.92% confidence

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