Criminal Justice (Courts)

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

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 675: RELATING TO BAIL.

HB 675 requires judges to determine a defendant's ability to pay bail before setting an amount. This directly affects defendants who cannot afford bail, potentially preventing them from being jailed solely due to poverty. The bill mandates judges to make specific findings about financial circumstances during bail hearings. It aims to modify current bail procedures by focusing on a defendant's economic situation rather than defaulting to cash bail. (Note: This is a procedural bill affecting court practices, not a substantive policy change.)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directly addresses cash bail inequity by requiring judges to assess financial ability, preventing poverty-based detention - core criminal justice reform aligned with reducing recidivism and protecting civil rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2731: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors, or for offenses punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits misdemeanor imprisonment to 364 days, reducing incarceration time and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of decreasing unnecessary prison terms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2108: RELATING TO JURISDICTION.

Amends the factors a family court is required to consider in deciding whether the family court may waive jurisdiction over a minor or adult held for criminal proceedings for acts committed during the person's minority. Preserves the family court's jurisdiction over a minor transferred for criminal proceedings for subsequent acts that would otherwise be within the family court's jurisdiction. Requires the family court to retain jurisdiction over a minor if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the minor was trafficked, sexually abused, or raped by the alleged victim in the case before or during the commission of the alleged offense. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill preserves family court jurisdiction for minors who are trafficking/victim of abuse, preventing transfer to adult criminal system. Protects vulnerable minors within justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Human Trafficking Juvenile Justice

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3073: RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

Specifies the types of cases in which evidence must be retained post-conviction and the process by which evidence may be disposed of earlier than the standard period of retention, which includes a procedure for defendants to oppose the disposal of biological evidence by filing an objection with the court. Authorizes the court, upon motion of a defendant or prosecutor or on the court's own motion, to order the retention of biological evidence in any felony case for a certain period under certain circumstances. Effective 9/1/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants defendants right to object to early disposal of biological evidence, protecting post-conviction due process and defendant rights in criminal cases.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1028: RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES.

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. Limits court-ordered community service for a minor to no more than seventy-two hours. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits juvenile fees/fines, discharges debt, limits community service - reduces financial barriers for minors in justice system, aligning with reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 200: RELATING TO SPEEDY TRIALS.

Creates a statutory right of victims and witnesses of sexual offenses under part V of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to a speedy trial in criminal cases involving adult defendants. Requires the court and the prosecution to take appropriate action to ensure a prompt trial to minimize the length of time a child abuse victim or minor witness must endure the stress of the proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates speedy trials for sexual offense victims to reduce trauma, aligning with victim protection and efficient criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2253: RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

Specifies the types of cases in which evidence must be retained post-conviction and the process by which evidence may be disposed of earlier than the standard period of retention, which includes a procedure for defendants to oppose the disposal of biological evidence by filing an objection with the court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to object to disposal of biological evidence, protecting rights to challenge convictions and ensuring evidence retention for appeals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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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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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