Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

SB 888: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement agencies unless the user consents, the law enforcement agency obtains a judicial warrant, or there is an emergency situation involving a clear and present danger of imminent death or great bodily harm. Prohibits operators from requiring users to consent to the sharing of data with law enforcement agencies as a condition of using a smart household security device. Allows the Department of the Attorney General to bring a civil action against operators who violate certain requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts law enforcement data access without warrant, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform by limiting unwarranted surveillance.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized data sharing with law enforcement, requiring consent/warrant, directly enhancing data privacy protections for smart device users.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Consumer Data Protection Tags Consumer Protection

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 99: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

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 a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position and stationed at a public school, subject to certain conditions. Establishes criteria for various agencies to use in identifying labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables retirees to fill law enforcement roles (school resource officers) in critical positions, addressing labor shortages within criminal justice workforce needs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables retirees to fill school resource officer roles without losing benefits, addressing labor shortages in K-12 school staffing per DOE designation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement School Safety

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1960: RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program, or approve externally developed programs, to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers or transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers, keep records of the training, post signage, and develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking. Establishes penalties. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires trafficking awareness training, reporting procedures, and prevention policies to combat human trafficking crimes, strengthening criminal justice prevention efforts.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates human trafficking training for workers in transient accommodations sector, directly enhancing workplace safety and protecting against exploitation per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Labor Standards

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2197: RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Specifies a process by which property owners may utilize law enforcement officers to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings. Establishes the criminal offenses of squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Makes the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree for a person who knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling or in or upon the premises of a hotel or apartment building a class C felony, rather than a misdemeanor. Classifies the type of property damage typically inflicted by squatters as a form of criminal property damage in the second degree. Classifies the falsification of documentation typically performed by squatters as a form of unsworn falsification to authorities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates criminal offenses for squatting and fraudulent property dealings, expanding criminalization of property disputes90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2258: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Clarifies the scope of treatment allowable under orders for assisted community treatment. Requires the Department of the Attorney general to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of any request for a court or administrative order authorizing treatment over the objection of certain patients.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates crisis intervention officer training standards to improve law enforcement responses to mental health crises, reducing unnecessary criminal justice involvement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires crisis intervention training standards and clarifies assisted community treatment, directly strengthening mental health service access and patient rights under healthcare framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2504: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds enforcement of gun violence protective orders, a criminal justice tool to prevent firearm-related crimes, aligning with reform goals of reducing violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2867: RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to provide or require the provision of at least 1 hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to review and recommend dementia-specific training curricula that address the recognition and signs of Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires dementia training for law enforcement officers, enhancing officer accountability and reducing improper responses in dementia-related incidents.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates dementia-specific training for first responders to improve recognition and response to Alzheimer's/dementia incidents, enhancing health service quality for vulnerable patients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 224: RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties by making property damage over $999 a felony, increasing criminalization rather than reforming justice.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prioritizes property owner rights by enabling swift removal of occupants and imposing penalties on trespassers, weakening tenant protections without addressing affordable housing or tenant safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tenant Rights

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2145: RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes right to record police and private remedy, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

Track