Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 594: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS.

SB 594 changes the law to make it easier to prosecute crimes against seniors by removing the requirement that a perpetrator must know or reasonably should know the victim is 60 years or older. This bill directly affects seniors who are victims of crimes, as it shifts the legal standard for certain offenses. The key provision eliminates the need for prosecutors to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age, making it a stricter standard for crimes committed against seniors. The bill is currently pending in committee, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill eliminates knowledge requirement for prosecuting crimes against seniors, strengthening protections and enhancing penalties under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Tags Seniors

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2382: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15,000 retention bonuses for law enforcement, directly funding staffing needs through state budget authority per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers to address staffing shortages, strengthening frontline operations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, supporting compensation and subject to collective bargaining negotiations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2087: RELATING TO ABUSE OF FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.

Maintains the petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household member by repealing the sunset of amendments made to sections 709-906 and 853-4, HRS, by Act 19, SLH 2020. Repeals provisions authorizing a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals deferred plea option for abuse offenses, reducing defendant rights and strengthening accountability for abusers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2517: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Amends the penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order by reclassifying the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes class C felony penalty for firearm violations under protective orders, expanding criminalization of firearm possession in domestic violence contexts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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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 · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2192: RELATING TO CRIME.

Doubles the fines and terms of imprisonment for illicit drug sellers and distributors who commit their offenses within 100 feet of schools or public parks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDoubles fines/terms for drug offenses near schools/parks, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

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