Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1769: RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally return committed felons incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions to in-state correctional facilities. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates reduction of private, out-of-state prison use - aligning with reform goals to decrease reliance on for-profit correctional systems and promote state oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1029: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects forfeiture proceeds to state general fund, enhancing state revenue for budget management90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts civil forfeiture to felony convictions, reducing potential civil rights violations and aligning with reform goals of limiting overreach in asset forfeiture.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2570: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

SB 2570 allocates extra funding for the state Judiciary to cover operations during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides supplemental budget money specifically for court systems, judges, and related judicial services. This bill directly affects the Judiciary branch by ensuring continued funding for its core functions. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on financial allocation without creating new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates supplemental funding for Judiciary operations, directly increasing budget allocation for essential state services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds judiciary operations including courts, directly supporting criminal justice system functionality through supplemental budget allocation for core judicial services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Courts

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2494: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires citations be visible on an offender's criminal record. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates citations for petty offenses, requires arrest documentation, and limits warrantless arrests - directly advancing accountability and reducing unnecessary arrests per reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Policing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 307: RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes right to record police, enabling public accountability and civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 385: RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

Removes state of mind requirement pertaining to a victim's age for felony assaults aggravated by the victim's age. Raises the threshold age from 60 years of age or older to 65 years of age or older.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises age threshold for aggravated assault against elders, expanding victim protection under criminal justice framework without weakening enforcement.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3106: RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING.

Includes correctional workers as protected participants in peer support counseling sessions, giving them the same confidentiality protections provided to law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends confidentiality protections to correctional workers in peer support counseling, strengthening staff well-being within corrections (a core criminal justice component).85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends confidentiality protections to peer support counseling for correctional workers, strengthening mental health service access and protections per healthcare topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 393: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CAREER CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the career criminal prosecution unit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney for career criminal unit, directly allocating budget resources to a specific public safety program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds career criminal prosecution unit, strengthening law enforcement focus on repeat offenders through direct appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 388: RELATING TO TORTURE.

HB 388 defines torture as a specific criminal offense and makes it illegal under state law. The bill directly affects individuals who commit acts of torture, establishing clear legal consequences for such actions. Its key provision is creating a precise legal definition of torture to ensure consistent application and prosecution. This legislation aims to strengthen protections against severe human rights violations by explicitly prohibiting torture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDefines torture as criminal offense, strengthens legal protections against human rights violations, aligns with criminal justice reform by clarifying prosecution standards.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 778: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

SB 778 prohibits judges from sentencing defendants classified as "emerging adults" (typically young adults aged 18-25) to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This bill directly affects young adults who are tried and convicted as adults for crimes committed while in this age range. The key provision removes life without parole as a sentencing option for these individuals, requiring judges to consider alternatives like prison terms with the possibility of parole. The bill focuses on changing sentencing practices for a specific age group within the adult criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves life without parole for emerging adults, promoting rehabilitation over harsh sentencing per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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