Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

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

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 957: 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. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from criminal prosecution for overdose center users/operators, reducing criminal penalties for drug use in harm reduction context.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2363: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

HB 2363 expands eligibility for "assisted community treatment" to include repeat petty offenders. This program provides community-based support (like counseling or supervision) instead of jail time for individuals with behavioral health needs. The bill changes eligibility rules to cover people with multiple minor offense convictions. It directly affects repeat petty offenders by offering treatment alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands community treatment alternatives to jail for repeat petty offenders with behavioral health needs, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health treatment access via community support for behavioral health needs, replacing incarceration for repeat offenders, directly strengthening mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Mental Health

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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

Track

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 Dec 8, 2025

HB 128: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may, without warrant, arrest and detain persons for petty misdemeanors and violations. Requires officers to record the factors that justified the warrantless arrest. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes warrantless arrest guidelines with officer documentation requirement, enhancing accountability and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 891: RELATING TO MARIJUANA.

Decriminalizes the possession of drug paraphernalia relating to marijuana; possession of a certain amount of marijuana concentrate; and the possession of a certain amount of marijuana and smoking of marijuana in a public place. Lowers the criminal penalty for the possession of a certain amount of marijuana concentrate from a misdemeanor to a petty misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDecriminalizes minor marijuana offenses, reducing criminal penalties and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower incarceration rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 689: RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

HB 689 establishes legal protections ("safe harbor") for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical care or contact law enforcement. It directly affects survivors by shielding them from legal consequences for actions related to their exploitation, such as possession of controlled substances or minor legal violations. The bill creates a clear pathway for survivors to access necessary services without fear of prosecution. It takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract. This is a substantive policy change focused on survivor safety and access to support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeHB 689 creates safe harbor protections for sexual exploitation survivors, shielding them from prosecution for minor acts related to exploitation. This directly advances victim-centered criminal justice reform by removing barriers to medical/legal ...95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates safe harbor for sexual exploitation survivors to access medical care without legal repercussions, directly improving healthcare access and protecting patient rights for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 279: RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

SB 279 aligns the legal possession thresholds for fentanyl with those for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine. This means the amount of fentanyl that triggers criminal penalties will now match the established thresholds for these other serious drugs. The bill directly affects individuals possessing fentanyl, as it changes the point at which possession becomes a criminal offense under current law. This is a policy change to standardize penalties for fentanyl with other high-level controlled substances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAligns fentanyl possession thresholds with other drugs, reducing criminalization of low-level possession and standardizing penalties per reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 319: RELATING TO MARIJUANA.

Changes from 1 ounce to 30 grams the minimum amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the second degree. Increases from 3 grams or less to 15 grams or less the amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRaises marijuana possession thresholds, reducing criminalization of minor offenses, a core aspect of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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