Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 3281: RELATING TO GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the criminal offense of promoting an illegal electronic gambling device. Authorizes civil penalties and actions relating to premises on which an illegal electronic gambling device has been used. Allows the Attorney General, any county prosecuting attorney, any county police chief, or the Director of Law Enforcement to take certain actions against places used to commit certain offenses that qualify as a nuisance. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for promoting illegal gambling devices, expanding criminalization within criminal justice enforcement framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2062: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the efficient processing of temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds enforcement of gun violence protective orders and public awareness campaigns, directly strengthening criminal justice efforts to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2124: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

HB 2124 makes it a misdemeanor offense to fail to report bribery when witnessed. This law directly affects individuals who observe bribery, such as employees or public officials in positions where they might encounter such acts. The bill establishes a legal requirement to report bribery to authorities, with misdemeanor penalties for non-compliance. It does not change existing bribery laws but adds a new reporting obligation for witnesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting of bribery to strengthen accountability and aid prosecution, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators by enhancing oversight of public officials.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 277: RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS.

Increases the penalty for promoting minor-produced sexual images to a felony if the person is more than 3 years older than the minor. Extends the probationary term for felony obscenity offenses. Tolls the statute of limitations for obscenity offenses during a victim's minority. Requires sex offender registration for felony obscenity offenses involving minors. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for sexual offenses against minors, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing, opposing reform efforts.90% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 963: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was seventy years of age or older. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes strict liability for elder crimes, removing intent defense and increasing sentencing severity, directly opposing criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 677: RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates ID assistance for inmate reentry, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1708: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies highly intoxicated driving as class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per DUI offense standards.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for DUI while highly intoxicated, directly enhancing traffic safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Traffic Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2893: RELATING TO GAMBLING.

Provides that a defendant may not assert social gambling as an affirmative defense if the gambling activity occurred at the defendant's residence and gambling activities have resulted in multiple recent documented noise complaints.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant rights by eliminating social gambling as an affirmative defense in noise complaint cases, reducing criminal procedure protections.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2249: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 2249 establishes increased penalties for bribery offenses under certain circumstances. The bill specifically targets bribery by raising criminal penalties when specific conditions apply, though the abstract does not detail those conditions or identify which individuals or entities would be directly affected. Key provisions involve modifying penalty structures for bribery convictions, but the official abstract provides no further specifics on the circumstances or mechanisms. As the bill is currently pending introduction (with no committee referrals finalized), no concrete policy changes have been enacted. The summary is based solely on the provided abstract, which lacks details on affected parties or exact penalty levels.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for bribery offenses, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of strengthening punitive measures without reform elements.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2824: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 2824 creates a new misdemeanor offense for individuals who fail to report known bribery. Specifically, it requires public officials or employees who witness or learn about bribery to report it to authorities, and not doing so becomes a punishable offense. The bill directly affects government employees, contractors, and others with potential knowledge of bribery in public contexts. This policy change establishes a clear legal duty to report bribery incidents, adding a new layer of accountability to existing anti-bribery laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public officials to report bribery, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system by preventing corruption among officials.85% confidence

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