Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 729: RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Repeals exemptions for sexual assault of a minor if the perpetrator is married to the minor. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals criminal exemption for marital sexual assault of minors, strengthening accountability in criminal justice by removing legal barriers to prosecution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2390: RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Increases the offense of habitual property crime from a class C felony to a class B felony. Increases the sentencing structure for convictions of habitual property crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classification and sentencing for habitual property crime, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2465: RELATING TO CRIME.

Allows the charge of unauthorized entry into motor vehicle in the first degree to be brought as a class B felony if property damage of $750 or more occurs or the person has a previous conviction for the same offense within the past five years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades unauthorized entry to class B felony for property damage $750+ or prior offense, increasing criminalization and sentencing severity.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1758: RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

HB 1758 removes the requirement that prosecutors prove a perpetrator knew an elderly victim was vulnerable due to age in felony assault cases. This change directly affects elderly crime victims and prosecutors handling assault cases where the victim's age is a factor. The bill simplifies prosecution by allowing felony assault charges to be filed based solely on the victim's age, without needing to establish the perpetrator's knowledge of that age. It modifies the legal standard for aggravated assaults against elderly individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves requirement for prosecutors to prove perpetrator's knowledge of victim's age, simplifying felony assault charges for elderly victims to strengthen protections under criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Tags Seniors

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2074: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HB 2074 establishes a tiered penalty system for individuals who obstruct criminal investigations (hindering prosecution in the first degree). The bill sets fines and potential jail time that increase based on the severity of the original crime being obstructed - more serious underlying offenses lead to harsher penalties for the obstruction. It directly affects people who interfere with law enforcement during active criminal cases, such as by destroying evidence or intimidating witnesses. The bill is currently in early stages (pending introduction as of January 23, 2026) and has not yet been referred to a committee for review.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by increasing penalties for hindering investigations, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2280: RELATING TO FORFEITURE.

Extends the period during which a surety, surety insurer, or bail agent may file a motion or application to set aside the bond or recognizance forfeiture from thirty days to ninety days. Ensures that proper notice of a bail forfeiture judgment is provided to a surety or bail agent. Affirms that a judge may impose financial conditions of release and maintain full discretion to consider individual circumstances. Allows a surety or bail agent to apply to set aside a forfeiture, even if a prior motion has been filed. Subjects bail bond forfeiture proceedings to Rule 60 of the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. Prohibits forfeiture from being ordered in any felony case.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends time for bail agents to challenge forfeitures, promoting procedural fairness in bail system without restricting defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2092: RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment as a misdemeanor when committed against certain public servants in connection with their performance of a governmental function. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by elevating harassment against public servants to misdemeanor, per indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 2725: RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Establishes the offense of prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor. Authorizes a victim of female genital mutilation to bring a civil action for damages under certain conditions. Amends the statutory definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm" to include prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates criminal offense for FGM of minors, expands child abuse definitions, and enables civil remedies - strengthens legal protections under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2290: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

By January 1, 2027, requires each law enforcement agency operating in the State to maintain a publicly available policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers and use of facial coverings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public policies on officer identification and facial coverings, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2886: RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS FOR CRIMES.

SB 2886 adds third- and fourth-degree sexual assault to the list of crimes with no statute of limitations for prosecution. This means prosecutors can file charges for these specific sexual assault offenses at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. The bill directly affects victims of these crimes by removing time barriers for legal action and impacts prosecutors by expanding their ability to pursue cases. It does not change other crime categories or introduce new penalties, only extending the timeframe for prosecution of these particular offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for sexual assault, enabling victims to pursue justice regardless of time elapsed, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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