Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2417: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables SNAP access for incarcerated individuals post-release, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 394: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for Victim Witness Assistance Program, directly funding a public service through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds Victim Witness Assistance Program, directly supporting criminal justice system's victim services component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2737: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes the offense of failure to report bribery by a state elected official as a misdemeanor. Requires a state elected official who knows of or witnesses the conferring, offering, solicitation, or acceptance of a pecuniary benefit in violation of the bribery statute to report the conduct to the Department of the Attorney General, a county prosecuting attorney, a law enforcement agency, the State Ethics Commission, or a county ethics board within sixty days. Defines "state elected official". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires elected officials to report bribery, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system per bribery reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2252: RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

SB 2252 changes how felony assaults involving elderly victims are prosecuted. Currently, prosecutors must prove the attacker knew the victim was elderly to charge the assault as aggravated. This bill removes that requirement, making it a felony assault simply because the victim is elderly, regardless of the attacker's knowledge. It directly affects elderly crime victims, prosecutors, and courts handling such cases. The bill is currently in committee referral after its first reading.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves knowledge requirement for elderly assault prosecutions, strengthening victim protection in criminal justice without increasing sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2381: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Extends the effective date of restrictions on the use of restrictive housing in correctional facilities to 7/1/2027. Extends the establishment of the Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group to 8/1/2026. Extends the date that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may implement recommendations of the working group to 12/1/2028. Amends procedures for restrictive housing. Amends circumstances under which restrictive housing may be used. Repeals requirements for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to post quarterly reports on the Department's website, update its policy and procedures manual in compliance with the restrictive housing restrictions, and report to the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Repeals requirements for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review and monitor housing placements. Repeals the requirement that the Restrictive Housing Working Group make recommendations to the Legislature by 1/1/2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends restrictions on restrictive housing (solitary confinement), aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce harmful practices in corrections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1912: RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS ON CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

Provides that for any offense based on misconduct by a public servant, the appliable period of limitations for a criminal prosecution shall not commence until discovery of the offense by law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDelays prosecution timeline until misconduct discovery, aiding accountability for public servants and protecting victim rights in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

SB 2135: RELATING TO PRIVACY.

SB 2135 creates a new criminal offense for sharing someone's intimate images without their consent. It directly affects individuals whose private photos or videos are distributed online or otherwise without permission. The key provision defines this act as a punishable offense, establishing legal consequences for perpetrators. The bill is currently pending before the LBT committee, having been referred for review after its initial introduction.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates criminal offense for nonconsensual intimate image distribution, protecting victim privacy rights under criminal justice framework95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by criminalizing nonconsensual intimate image sharing, directly protecting digital rights and personal data online.90% confidence

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2251: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates grant-in-aid moneys to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds for essential Victim Witness Assistance Program, directly advancing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds Victim Witness Assistance Program, directly supporting victims' participation in criminal justice process per VOCA guidelines and victim services indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 60: RELATING TO JUVENILE JUSTICE.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services to develop and implement a program offering individualized service and support teams to assist at-risk and court-involved youth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds juvenile justice program to support at-risk youth, reducing court involvement and promoting rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3208: RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and wilful flight. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires pretrial release for nonviolent offenses, mandates judicial review of detention, reduces unnecessary jail populations - core criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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