Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2730: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates documentation for warrantless arrests, requires citations over arrest for petty offenses, and standardizes forms - key accountability and reform measures to reduce unnecessary arrests.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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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

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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

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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 · 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 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 Jan 28, 2026

HB 2035: RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS FOR CRIMES.

HB 2035 removes time limits for prosecuting third and fourth-degree sexual assault offenses. This means prosecutors can file charges at any time, regardless of when the crime occurred, directly affecting victims of these assaults and law enforcement. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these assault degrees in the list of offenses without a statute of limitations. It does not change penalties or create new offenses, only extending the window for prosecution. This is a policy change focused on legal accessibility, not on new criminal definitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves statute of limitations for sexual assault, enabling prosecution regardless of time elapsed, directly supporting victims' rights and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2600: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

HB 2600 allocates state funds to hire one full-time Deputy Public Defender III position within the Office of the Public Defender. This bill directly affects the Office of the Public Defender by providing budgetary resources to support its staffing needs. The legislation is purely procedural, focusing solely on funding a specific staff position without altering legal standards or procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for a Public Defender position, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds a public defender position, directly supporting defendant representation and rights in criminal justice system without altering legal standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Law Enforcement

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