Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB691 SD1 HD1 (ACT 084).

This bill establishes a minimum age of 12 for juvenile court jurisdiction in Hawaii, meaning children under 12 cannot be adjudicated for any alleged violation of law. It amends Hawaii Revised Statutes §571-11 to restrict court jurisdiction to individuals at least 12 years old for acts that would otherwise be considered delinquent or criminal. The law ensures young children, who lack the capacity to form criminal intent, are not processed through the juvenile justice system but instead receive appropriate services and treatment. This change aligns Hawaii with international standards under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.