Criminal Justice

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

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 481: RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to issue a certificate of suitability for employment. Requires the Department to collaborate with state and federal agencies and private employers to educate stakeholders on the certification. Appropriate funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires offender employment certification and reentry collaboration, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support - core criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates employment certification for offenders, reducing barriers to workforce reentry. Supports employment standards by facilitating job access for a group facing systemic employment challenges.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Professional Licensing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 854: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF COMMITTED PERSONS.

Appropriates $500,000, for each year of the fiscal biennium to the department of corrections and rehabilitation to procure a new software for electronic record keeping of medical records. Requires a report to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $500k annually for corrections software, directly funding a state service via budget allocation, aligning with fiscal responsibility and essential program funding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds software for mental health medical records in corrections, supporting rehabilitation efforts for committed persons.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $500k for electronic medical records software in corrections, improving mental health record-keeping and access for committed persons.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1263: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

HB 1263 establishes a Rehabilitation and Re-entry Services Task Force to develop programs helping people transition back into communities after prison. The bill directly affects incarcerated individuals and state correctional systems by requiring the task force to create and report on re-entry strategies to the Legislature. Key provisions include appropriating state funds for the task force's work and mandating annual reports to lawmakers. The bill would take effect on July 1, 3000, though this date appears to be a placeholder error in the abstract.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes task force for re-entry programs, funds rehabilitation, mandates reports - directly advances criminal justice reform by reducing recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1316: RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS.

Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Repeals the authority of the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent restitution. Expressly allows courts to specify a period of time or installments for payment of fees and restitution. Requires district courts to hold payment compliance hearings once per year or as soon as practicable, until all fees, fines, and restitution are fully paid, and requires a defendant in district court to appear and show cause if the defendant fails to pay in full within a time specified by the court or fails to pay three consecutive installments. Makes conforming amendments to related statutes. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows flexible payment plans/installments and annual compliance hearings, reducing barriers to paying court fees/fines - aligns with reform goals to avoid punitive consequences for inability to pay.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2540: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits with certain exceptions, the use of facial coverings and requires visible identification by law enforcement officers and their vehicles in the performance of their duties. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish policies regarding state and county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from prolonging a stop to inquire about a person's civil immigration status. Establishes criminal offenses for use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer, lack of visible identification, and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible ID for officers and bans prolonging stops for immigration status, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from prolonging stops to inquire about immigration status, a direct protective measure limiting state involvement in immigration enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2420: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds to the judiciary for services contracted with community-based organizations that deliver essential services, streamline judicial processes, and support the judiciary's capacity to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable households.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to judiciary for essential services to vulnerable households, directly funding public services per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community-based orgs for vulnerable households and streamlines judiciary processes, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing recidivism and improving system capacity.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 280: RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

SB 280 amends the crime of "negligent injury in the first degree" to specifically include injuries caused by drivers who were intoxicated. This change directly affects drivers who cause physical harm while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill expands the legal definition so that such incidents are prosecuted under this specific offense, rather than potentially less severe charges. The measure aims to strengthen accountability for intoxicated drivers who cause injury, without changing sentencing levels or creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands criminal definition for intoxicated driving injuries to strengthen accountability, directly advancing criminal justice reform through stricter prosecution of dangerous drivers.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends criminal code to include intoxicated driving injuries under negligent injury charge, strengthening accountability for highway safety violations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Roads & Highways

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1189: RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been conducted on a property. Requires a law enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement to post search notices and secure entrances, enhancing accountability and protecting private property rights during searches.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2289: RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND.

Repeals the statutory expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $600k annual expenditure ceiling on victim services fund to address rising costs, enabling necessary funding for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves $600k expenditure ceiling on victim notification system fund to expand victim services within criminal justice system, directly funding victim support programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Victims' Rights