Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

GM 623: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee, Gubernatorial Nominee, RAYMOND MULLINS, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This is not a legislative bill but a gubernatorial nomination submission (GM 623) for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. Governor Green has submitted Raymond Mullins for Senate confirmation to serve on the committee, with his term set to expire June 30, 2028. The committee advises the state on prison work programs and inmate employment initiatives. The Senate must confirm this appointment before Mullins can assume the role.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCommittee advises on prison work programs and inmate employment, directly supporting rehabilitation initiatives to reduce recidivism within criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2513: RELATING TO FAMILY.

SB 2513 exempts individuals who allege domestic abuse from being required to participate in mediation during paternity or divorce court proceedings. This directly affects victims of domestic violence who are involved in family court cases concerning child custody or marital dissolution. The bill removes mediation as a mandatory step for these parties, allowing courts to proceed without requiring them to engage in mediation sessions. The key provision ensures that alleged abuse victims can avoid potential safety risks or coercion during dispute resolution. The bill was introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts domestic abuse victims from mandatory mediation in family court, protecting them from potential harm during proceedings and aligning with victim safety in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1388: RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses law enforcement labor shortages by enabling retiree employment as investigators without benefit loss, directly supporting staffing needs in criminal justice agencies.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows retirees to work without losing retirement benefits in labor shortage investigator roles, protecting their employment rights and addressing workforce needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 734: RELATING TO SOCIAL WORK.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to develop and establish a social work training program to assist nonviolent incarcerated individuals in the area of social work. Requires progress reports on the program to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a social work training program for nonviolent inmates to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation-focused programming.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2123: RELATING TO MISCONDUCT BY A PUBLIC SERVANT.

Extends the statute of limitations for offenses based on misconduct in office by a public servant to allow prosecution at any time during the defendant's period of public service and up to ten years thereafter.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for public servant misconduct, enhancing accountability and prosecution opportunities in criminal justice oversight.92% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 240: RELATING TO OVERDOSE PREVENTION.

Establishes and provides criteria for overdose prevention centers, including standards for the Department of Health to designate certain facilities as overdose prevention centers. Establishes an Overdose Prevention Center Oversight Committee. Provides immunity from state criminal prosecution for certain offenses for persons using a designated overdose prevention center and persons operating a designated overdose prevention center.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from criminal prosecution for overdose prevention centers, reducing criminalization of drug use and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2505: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

Clarifies that community mental health outpatient programs that have agreed to provide mental health services to a defendant as part of an assisted community treatment order may prepare a certificate for assisted community treatment and provide the certificate to a defendant and may file an assisted community treatment petition with the Family Court. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes timely assisted community treatment for defendants, diverting them from incarceration to mental health care, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires streamlined process for community mental health treatment, improving patient access to outpatient care and reducing involuntary hospitalization delays.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1746: RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION.

HB 1746 establishes a rapid DNA investigative lead program within the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), allowing officers to quickly test DNA evidence from crime scenes to identify suspects. The bill appropriates funding to support this program, directly affecting HPD operations and criminal investigations. Key provisions include creating a dedicated unit to process DNA samples rapidly (within hours instead of weeks) to generate investigative leads. This program aims to expedite solving violent crimes by leveraging immediate DNA analysis, with no mention of broader public impact beyond law enforcement use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds rapid DNA program for HPD to expedite solving violent crimes, enhancing law enforcement investigative efficiency within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2419: RELATING TO HEALTH.

SB 2419 amends the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to exclude drug testing products (like home test kits or workplace screening tools) from the legal definition of "drug paraphernalia." This change directly affects individuals and businesses using these products, such as employers conducting drug screenings or healthcare providers administering tests. The bill’s key mechanism is a specific statutory revision that removes these items from a category historically subject to criminal penalties. It does not alter drug use laws but clarifies that testing tools themselves are not illegal under current drug paraphernalia statutes. The bill is currently in committee referral with no further action taken.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves drug testing products from 'drug paraphernalia' definition, eliminating criminal penalties for their use. This reduces unnecessary criminalization, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3142: RELATING TO DANGEROUS INTOXICATION.

Establishes the offenses of dangerous intoxication and habitual dangerous intoxication. Provides for civil protective custody and transport for emergency examination in lieu of arrest for dangerous intoxication in specified circumstances, and bars prosecution when civil protective custody is used. Requires probation with mandatory treatment for habitual dangerous intoxication, with incarceration only upon probation violation. Makes conforming amendments to chapter 334, HRS, relating to admission to psychiatric facilities and assisted community treatment. Delays implementation by one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces arrest with civil protective custody and mandates treatment over incarceration for habitual cases, promoting rehabilitation and reducing criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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