Criminal Justice

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 Dec 8, 2025

SB 371: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

SB 371 creates new criminal offenses for damaging critical infrastructure facilities, establishing distinct penalties for first-degree (more severe) and second-degree property damage. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage facilities like power plants, water treatment centers, or communication hubs. The bill defines "critical infrastructure facilities" and sets specific criminal penalties for property damage to these sites. This law aims to strengthen legal protections for essential public infrastructure systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses for property damage to critical infrastructure, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice systems.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly protects power plants (energy infrastructure) via criminal penalties, aligning with 'protect' indicator for energy infrastructure.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1763: RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery under certain circumstances. Increases the penalty for official misconduct from a class C to a class A felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for bribery and official misconduct, aligning with indicators of stricter sentencing that opposes criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

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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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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 169: RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide written notice to certain persons regarding the ability to file a claim for redress under applicable wrongful conviction law. Requires the liberal construction of that law. Changes the standard for a claim for compensation for wrongful imprisonment from actual innocence to grounds consistent with innocence. Provides for advance compensation for petitioners under certain circumstances. Requires the State to prove, for claims for compensation for wrongful imprisonment, that the reversal or vacating of the petitioner's conviction or pardoning of the petitioner was inconsistent with innocence. Requires reports to Legislature from the Department of the Attorney General. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeChanges wrongful conviction standard to 'grounds consistent with innocence' and mandates advance compensation, promoting accountability and redress in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 813: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORM.

Requires a law enforcement officer who observes criminal misconduct by another law enforcement officer to report the criminal misconduct. Requires passage of a psychological screening test battery to qualify for appointment as a law enforcement officer. Subjects a law enforcement officer to denial, suspension, or revocation of a law enforcement officer's certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or committing an act of criminal misconduct. Prohibits the use of a chokehold by a law enforcement officer unless the use of deadly force is justifiable. Defines "chokehold".

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates reporting of misconduct, psychological screenings, and bans chokeholds to enhance officer accountability and reduce excessive force - key criminal justice reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 763: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund and appropriates funds, directly allocating state budget resources for a new program.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes Agricultural Enforcement Program with funding, strengthening law enforcement focus on agricultural theft within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 176: RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violation of a temporary restraining order and order for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a temporary restraining order or order for protection if, after conducting a financial review, the court determines the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that the court may suspend certain jail sentence for violation of a temporary restraining order or order for protection upon condition that the defendant remain alcohol- and drug-free, conviction-free, and complete court-ordered assessments or intervention.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for violating protective orders while preventing fines for indigent defendants, strengthening victim protection and equitable enforcement in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Domestic Violence

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