Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2762: RELATING TO BAIL.

Allows a court to consider relevant evidence and make a determination to grant, deny, or set conditions of bail. Requires that a defendant is to be presumed entitled to bail unless certain conditions are met. Requires a court to set aside the forfeiture of bail if the defendant voluntarily appears before the court or is surrendered by the surety or bail agent within ninety days after a failure to appear. Requires a court to obtain the consent of the surety or bail agent to reinstate bail. Clarifies qualifications for bail agents, insurers, and sureties. Clarifies the process for the discharge of bail agents, insurers, and sureties. Allows a court discretion to determine whether the forfeiture of bail is appropriate. Requires a motion by the principal to set aside an order of forfeiture to provide the surety or insurer with prompt notice affording opportunity to join the motion. Allows courts discretion to reinstate a bond or recognizance or return the bond or recognizance to the appropriate party after vacating a judgment of forfeiture.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePresumes bail entitlement, limits forfeiture, and requires surety consent - aligns with bail reform to reduce pretrial detention and protect defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1612: RELATING TO FITNESS TO PROCEED.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in partnership with the Department of Health, to establish and implement a five-year Fitness to Proceed Pilot Program in one county of the State. Requires an interim report and final report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds a pilot program to assess defendants' fitness to proceed, improving court processes and mental health integration within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2043: RELATING TO CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.

HB 2043 reclassifies minor property damage offenses, such as graffiti or broken windows, as petty misdemeanors instead of higher-level misdemeanors. This change directly affects individuals who commit low-level property offenses by reducing the severity of the criminal charge. The bill establishes a new classification for "criminal mischief" that carries lighter penalties, without altering the core definition of the offense. It represents a policy shift toward treating minor property damage as a less serious violation under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reclassifies minor property offenses to petty misdemeanors, reducing penalties and promoting criminal justice reform by avoiding harsher charges for low-level offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2181: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the Judiciary to develop, implement, and administer an automated court appearance reminder system that generates text message or electronic mail notifications for upcoming court appearances in certain types of cases. Requires persons making an arrest or issuing a citation to obtain, to the extent practicable, the offender's mobile telephone number and electronic mail address. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomated court reminders reduce missed appearances, decreasing unnecessary arrests and promoting court efficiency in criminal justice reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 614: RELATING TO HATE CRIMES.

Defines "reported hate crime". Requires reporting of all possible reported hate crimes to appropriate authorities, including consistent documentation and analysis of such incidents. Requires law enforcement officers to receive annual training to identify, investigate, and document hate crimes and possible hate crimes. Requires the Attorney General to establish or update guidelines, protocols, and training materials for the reporting and investigation of hate crimes and possible hate crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates hate crime training and reporting protocols, enhancing law enforcement accountability and civil rights protection in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement

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signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1548: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the sentence to conform to the revised maximum penalty. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits misdemeanor sentences to 364 days, reducing incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to decrease prison terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1322: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Restricts the use of solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop written policies and procedures regarding solitary confinement by 7/1/2026. Requires the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review certain housing placements. Requires the Department to develop policies and procedures to review committed persons placed in solitary confinement and develop a plan for committed persons currently in solitary confinement by 4/1/2026. Requires a report to the Legislature and Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts solitary confinement, requiring policy development and oversight to reduce harmful practices, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 3107: RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.

Amends section 353-64, HRS, to include participation in correctional programs for parole eligibility: (1) treatment (substance abuse, mental health, sex offender); (2) work furlough as part of vocational education; and (3) other programs designed to assist the committed person with successful reintegration back into the community; all of which are in the scope of programs determined by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Receiving and Diagnostic (RAD) assessments and recommended for parole eligibility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands parole eligibility via rehabilitation programs (treatment, vocational), reducing recidivism and supporting reintegration per HRS 353-64 amendments.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requires participation in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs for parole eligibility, directly supporting access to these healthcare services within correctional system reintegration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2479: RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.

Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows reduced sentences for defendants with family violence history, aligning with criminal justice reform by considering mitigating factors to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 638: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits landlords from charging fees for criminal background checks in rentals, reducing financial barriers for applicants with criminal records and aligning with reentry reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks when applicants provide certified copies, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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