SB 2479 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.

Summary

Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2479_SD1 → SB2479_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from the first to the second session, changing the lead sponsor and several administrative dates. Substantively, the bill modifies sentencing guidelines for murder and felonies to include indeterminate terms with specific parole eligibility windows, adds new statutory sections regarding petitions for sentence reduction based on family violence, and updates procedural rules for filing such petitions.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new provisions for petitioning sentence reductions in cases involving family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, while also refining existing sentencing parameters for serious felonies.

REQUIREMENT

Sentencing for life-imprisonable crimes and other felonies was changed to 'indeterminate terms' with explicit parole eligibility provisions referencing specific sections of the Revised Statutes.

New provisions were added allowing defendants to petition for sentence reduction if they can prove family violence, dating violence, or child abuse was a significant contributing factor to their offense.

ENFORCEMENT

Procedural requirements for sentence reduction petitions were updated to mandate filing and determination in accordance with Rule 40 of the Hawaii Rules of Penal Procedure.

TECHNICAL

Administrative metadata including the bill sponsor's name, legislative session identifier, and various date/timestamp fields were updated to reflect the second session.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 248) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2360) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS, JDC.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor