HR 51 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY HOW EFFECTIVE EXISTING LAWS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, PROTECTIVE ORDERS, AND HARASSMENT BY STALKING ARE IN PREVENTING CONTINUED ABUSE AND HARASSMENT.

HR 51 is a House Resolution (not a bill) requesting Hawaii's Judiciary to form a working group to study how effectively current laws protect victims of domestic violence and stalking. The working group, including police departments, prosecutors, victim advocacy groups, and victims from each county, will analyze temporary restraining orders, protective orders, and harassment by stalking cases. It will examine enforcement, compliance, victim outcomes, and law enforcement responses, with a report due to the Legislature by 2027. This resolution does not change existing laws but aims to identify potential improvements based on data and stakeholder input.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025

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What changed between versions

HR51 → HR51_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House Resolution (HR) to a House Document (HD), changing its format and purpose. The scope was expanded to include protective orders alongside temporary restraining orders and stalking laws. A working group was created with specific members from law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocacy organizations. The timeline was adjusted to require a report by December 31, 2026, with the working group dissolving on that date.

Scope change

The bill now requires the Judiciary to convene a working group with specific members from each county's law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys, plus victim advocates and a victim representative from each county, rather than just requesting a general study.

REQUIREMENT

Changed from requesting a general study to convening a specific working group with defined members including police departments, prosecutors, and victim advocates.

Added specific requirements for the working group composition, including representatives from each of Hawaii's four counties.

SCOPE

Added protective orders to the scope of laws being studied alongside temporary restraining orders and harassment by stalking.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for the report from the 2026 Regular Session to December 31, 2026, and added a dissolution date for the working group.

TECHNICAL

Changed document type from House Resolution to House Document, which affects how the bill is processed and transmitted.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Woodson excused (2).

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1848) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Apr 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 22

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Offered

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors