Criminal Justice

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

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1388: RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses law enforcement labor shortages by enabling retiree employment as investigators without benefit loss, directly supporting staffing needs in criminal justice agencies.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows retirees to work without losing retirement benefits in labor shortage investigator roles, protecting their employment rights and addressing workforce needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 734: RELATING TO SOCIAL WORK.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to develop and establish a social work training program to assist nonviolent incarcerated individuals in the area of social work. Requires progress reports on the program to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a social work training program for nonviolent inmates to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through rehabilitation-focused programming.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2123: RELATING TO MISCONDUCT BY A PUBLIC SERVANT.

Extends the statute of limitations for offenses based on misconduct in office by a public servant to allow prosecution at any time during the defendant's period of public service and up to ten years thereafter.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends statute of limitations for public servant misconduct, enhancing accountability and prosecution opportunities in criminal justice oversight.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1340: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

HB 1340 would automatically impose stricter penalties for crimes committed against individuals aged 60 or older, regardless of the offender's intent. It directly affects anyone committing assault, abuse, or similar offenses against seniors by triggering enhanced sentencing under existing laws when the victim's age is known. The key provision modifies how courts handle such cases - requiring harsher penalties solely based on the victim's age, without needing to prove the offender targeted seniors specifically. The bill is currently pending, having been introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic stricter penalties for elder abuse without requiring intent, increasing mandatory sentences under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 240: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from criminal prosecution for overdose prevention centers, reducing criminalization of drug use and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2082: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

HB 2082 increases penalties for bribery offenses when committed against public officials or in specific contexts, such as influencing government decisions. It establishes stricter fines and prison terms for individuals who offer or accept bribes to sway official actions. The bill directly affects public officials and private individuals involved in bribery schemes that target government functions. Currently, the bill has been introduced and referred to committee for review, with no further action taken as of January 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for bribery, expanding criminalization and strengthening punitive measures under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2402: RELATING TO GAMBLING.

HB 2402 creates a new misdemeanor offense for promoting gambling in the third degree. This bill directly affects individuals or businesses that actively encourage or facilitate gambling activities, such as operating unlicensed betting services. The key provision establishes a specific criminal penalty for these promotion activities, making them punishable as a misdemeanor under state law. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 27, 2026, and referred to committee on February 2, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for promoting gambling, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Track

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2505: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

Clarifies that community mental health outpatient programs that have agreed to provide mental health services to a defendant as part of an assisted community treatment order may prepare a certificate for assisted community treatment and provide the certificate to a defendant and may file an assisted community treatment petition with the Family Court. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes timely assisted community treatment for defendants, diverting them from incarceration to mental health care, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires streamlined process for community mental health treatment, improving patient access to outpatient care and reducing involuntary hospitalization delays.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1963: RELATING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult was the proximate cause of the victim's death. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense and increasing penalties for severe cases, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence

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