Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 307: 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 right to record police, enabling public accountability and civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1662: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents landlords from charging fees for criminal background checks, reducing financial barriers for housing access of individuals with criminal records.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks when tenants provide certified copies, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in housing screening.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 279: RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

SB 279 aligns the legal possession thresholds for fentanyl with those for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine. This means the amount of fentanyl that triggers criminal penalties will now match the established thresholds for these other serious drugs. The bill directly affects individuals possessing fentanyl, as it changes the point at which possession becomes a criminal offense under current law. This is a policy change to standardize penalties for fentanyl with other high-level controlled substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAligns fentanyl possession thresholds with other drugs, reducing criminalization of low-level possession and standardizing penalties per reform principles.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 361: RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COURT.

Permanently establishes and appropriates funds for the Community Outreach Court as a division of the District Court of the First Circuit. Effective 4/23/2057. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes Community Outreach Court for homelessness diversion, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1028: RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES.

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Limits court-ordered community service for a minor to no more than seventy-two hours. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits juvenile fees/fines, discharges debt, limits community service - reduces financial barriers for minors in justice system, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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