Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 705: RELATING TO EXCITED DELIRIUM.

Prohibits excited delirium from being recognized as a valid medical diagnosis or cause of death in the State. Prohibits a local health officer or local agent of the Department of Health from stating on a certificate of death or in any report that the cause of death was excited delirium. Prohibits law enforcement officers from using the term excited delirium to describe an individual in an incident report. Establishes a new rule of evidence that deems evidence that a person experienced or suffered an excited delirium inadmissible in a civil action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from using 'excited delirium' in reports, reducing potential cover for excessive force incidents and aligning with accountability reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 192: RELATING TO EXPLOSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.

Requires the county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology equipment to assist in the location of and response to explosions caused by the illegal use of firearms and fireworks. Appropriates moneys to the counties as a grant in aid.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds via grant in aid to counties for explosion detection technology, directly funding public safety through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds police departments with explosion detection tech for public safety response to illegal firearms/fireworks, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 457: RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.

Requires state and local law enforcement agencies to notify an individual of their rights when in law enforcement agency custody before any interview with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on certain matters regarding immigration violations. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement to notify rights before ICE interviews, strengthening due process and civil rights protections in custody per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires law enforcement to notify individuals of rights before ICE interviews, protecting due process during immigration enforcement interactions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2058: RELATING TO SAFE COMMUNITIES.

Requires the Attorney General to designate safe community places. Prohibits employees at safe community places from providing voluntary consent to federal law enforcement agents for operations that identify or seek to identify apprehend, arrest, or impose any other penalty for activities protected by the First Amendment or immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits law enforcement from enabling federal actions targeting First Amendment-protected activities, protecting civil rights and limiting overreach in criminal justice enforcement.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly prohibits state employees from consenting to federal immigration enforcement operations targeting First Amendment-protected activities, directly limiting state cooperation with federal enforcement to protect immigrant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Tags Civil Liberties

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2813: RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE.

SB 2813 creates a Domestic Abuse Offender Registry within the Attorney General's Department, requiring the state to maintain a public list of individuals convicted of domestic abuse offenses. The bill appropriates funding to establish and operate this registry, which would provide law enforcement and the public with access to offender information. This directly affects individuals convicted of domestic abuse, as their details would be added to the registry. The key mechanism is the centralized database managed by the Attorney General's office, funded through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to establish and operate Domestic Abuse Offender Registry, directly allocating budget resources for a new program.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Domestic Abuse Offender Registry to enhance law enforcement access and public safety, directly strengthening criminal justice through improved offender tracking and transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 425: RELATING TO QUALIFIED COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

Clarifies that the civil service exemption for personal service contracts for building, custodial, and grounds maintenance services with qualified community rehabilitation programs shall not cost more than $850,000 in the aggregate per private person or entity, regardless of the number of contracts or qualified community rehabilitation programs utilized for the personal service. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies funding parameters for community rehab programs, supporting rehabilitation efforts to reduce recidivism within criminal justice reform framework.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 526: RELATING TO THE WOMEN'S COURT.

Establishes a temporary three-year Women's Court Pilot Program within the second, third, and fifth circuits. Establishes temporary positions. Requires a report. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates specialized Women's Court Pilot Program to address gender-specific justice needs, aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism through targeted services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2153: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HB 2153 establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program, which provides financial incentives to help retain law enforcement officers. The bill allocates state funds specifically for these retention bonuses, directly affecting eligible law enforcement officers in Hawaii. The key mechanism is the state appropriating dedicated funding to cover the bonus payments. This policy change creates a formal, funded program to support officer retention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for law enforcement retention bonuses, directly increasing budgetary support for public safety services via appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program to retain officers, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice through state-funded incentives.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides state-funded retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, expanding compensation benefits for this specific workforce group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 725: RELATING TO BAIL.

SB 725 requires judges to determine if a defendant can afford bail before setting the amount, directly affecting individuals facing initial court hearings who might otherwise be jailed solely due to inability to pay. The key provision mandates judges to make specific findings about a defendant's financial capacity during bail proceedings. This bill aims to prevent pretrial detention based solely on poverty by changing how bail amounts are determined. It is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee after a public hearing was scheduled for January 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents poverty-based pretrial detention by requiring financial assessments, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect civil rights and reduce inequitable incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2540: 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. Effective 7/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits fees/fines for minors, discharges debt, and encourages restorative community service, reducing financial barriers and promoting rehabilitation in juvenile justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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