Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2170: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain class A felonies involving firearms. Changes from a class B felony to a class A felony the penalty for owning, possessing, or controlling any firearm or ammunition while being prosecuted for or having been convicted of committing a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for ownership, possession, control, or transfer of ownership of any firearms or ammunition by a person who a court order has restrained from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class A felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates firearm possession penalties to Class A felonies with mandatory minimums, increasing sentencing severity and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2258: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Clarifies the scope of treatment allowable under orders for assisted community treatment. Requires the Department of the Attorney general to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of any request for a court or administrative order authorizing treatment over the objection of certain patients.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates crisis intervention officer training standards to improve law enforcement responses to mental health crises, reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires crisis intervention training standards and clarifies assisted community treatment, directly strengthening mental health service access and patient rights under healthcare framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1628: RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

HB 1628 establishes a formal protocol for releasing incarcerated individuals who are terminally ill or have severe, debilitating medical conditions. It directly affects people currently imprisoned who meet specific health criteria, requiring correctional facilities to evaluate and refer eligible cases. The bill creates a defined process for medical assessments, review by prison officials, and court approval for release. This would change how prisons handle compassionate release by replacing ad-hoc decisions with a standardized, documented procedure. The bill is currently pending before the committee, with a hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes standardized compassionate release protocol for terminally ill inmates, reforming correctional practices per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1626: RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Encourages the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fees/fines on minors/families for juvenile offenses, discharges debt, and promotes restorative community service - aligning with juvenile justice reform to reduce barriers and improve outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2325: RELATING TO JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Authorizes a court to modify sentences imposed on juvenile offenders if certain conditions are met and the court finds that, after considering certain factors, the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community and the modification is in the interests of justice. Establishes procedures, provides for hearings and representation by counsel, and authorizes appellate review. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes judicial sentence modification for juveniles based on safety and justice, promoting rehabilitation over punitive measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2575: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Changes from a misdemeanor to a class C felony the penalty for possessing, controlling, or transferring ownership of any firearm or ammunition by a person who is restrained by court order from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class B felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes unlawful possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class B felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for firearm possession during felony prosecutions, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per bill's penalty enhancements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 729: RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Repeals exemptions for sexual assault of a minor if the perpetrator is married to the minor. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals criminal exemption for marital sexual assault of minors, strengthening accountability in criminal justice by removing legal barriers to prosecution.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2280: RELATING TO FORFEITURE.

Extends the period during which a surety, surety insurer, or bail agent may file a motion or application to set aside the bond or recognizance forfeiture from thirty days to ninety days. Ensures that proper notice of a bail forfeiture judgment is provided to a surety or bail agent. Affirms that a judge may impose financial conditions of release and maintain full discretion to consider individual circumstances. Allows a surety or bail agent to apply to set aside a forfeiture, even if a prior motion has been filed. Subjects bail bond forfeiture proceedings to Rule 60 of the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. Prohibits forfeiture from being ordered in any felony case.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends time for bail agents to challenge forfeitures, promoting procedural fairness in bail system without restricting defendant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 60: RELATING TO JUVENILE JUSTICE.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services to develop and implement a program offering individualized service and support teams to assist at-risk and court-involved youth.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds juvenile justice program to support at-risk youth, reducing court involvement and promoting rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2513: RELATING TO FAMILY.

SB 2513 exempts individuals who allege domestic abuse from being required to participate in mediation during paternity or divorce court proceedings. This directly affects victims of domestic violence who are involved in family court cases concerning child custody or marital dissolution. The bill removes mediation as a mandatory step for these parties, allowing courts to proceed without requiring them to engage in mediation sessions. The key provision ensures that alleged abuse victims can avoid potential safety risks or coercion during dispute resolution. The bill was introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts domestic abuse victims from mandatory mediation in family court, protecting them from potential harm during proceedings and aligning with victim safety in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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