Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2353: RELATING TO THE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CENTRAL REGISTRY.

Provides a path for expungement from the child abuse and neglect registry for survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, or coercive abuse if certain conditions are met.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpungement for abuse survivors reduces systemic barriers, aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and aiding reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1954: RELATING TO IDENTITY THEFT.

HB 1954 updates the state's identity theft law to explicitly include fraudulent impersonation using artificial intelligence or materially deceptive media (like deepfakes) as a form of identity theft. This directly affects victims of AI-generated scams or fake media used to steal identities or commit fraud. The key provision adds these specific methods to the legal definition of identity theft offenses, making them punishable under existing laws. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction on January 23, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal definition of identity theft to include AI deepfakes, strengthening enforcement against modern fraud while aligning with criminal justice system's evolving needs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds AI/deepfake impersonation to identity theft law, strengthening consumer protection against tech-enabled fraud and enhancing data privacy safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2438: RELATING TO CIVIL INTERFERENCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS.

Establishes a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion. Authorizes private rights of action. Authorizes actions to be brought by the Attorney General, County Corporation Counsel, or County Attorney. Authorizes injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and certain monetary relief. Includes protections for constitutionally protected speech. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes civil remedies for constitutional rights violations, protecting individuals from interference in legal proceedings per Hawaii Civil Rights Protection Act.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1867: RELATING TO SAFETY AT HOME.

Clarifies that a person who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property, unless they are the initial aggressor. Repeals statutory language that permits a person to use deadly force at their place of work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies no duty to retreat in home for self-defense, expanding defendant rights under criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2841: RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

By July 1, 2027, requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers and keep records of the training. By January 1, 2028, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to post signage regarding human trafficking awareness. By October 1, 2027, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires human trafficking prevention training and reporting protocols, enhancing victim protection and law enforcement response within criminal justice framework.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodations workers, directly enhancing workplace safety and protecting against exploitation in the labor sector.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Child Labor Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 291: RELATING TO USE OF FORCE IN SELF-PROTECTION.

HB 291 clarifies situations where the use of deadly force in self-defense is not permitted. It removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force in response to an immediate threat. The bill directly affects people claiming self-defense in legal cases by simplifying the standard for when lethal force may be justified. This change aims to update the legal framework for self-protection without expanding or restricting existing rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves retreat requirement for self-defense, expanding defendant rights in criminal cases per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2871: RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Prohibits discrimination based on the perception that a person possesses certain characteristics, the perception that a person is associated with a person who possesses, or is perceived to possess, certain characteristics, or the intersection or combination of two or more specified characteristics in relation to a person. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAnti-discrimination provisions prevent bias in systems affecting marginalized groups, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like fair treatment and reducing discriminatory practices.70% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits workplace discrimination based on perception, association, or intersectionality of characteristics, directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2948: RELATING TO INSURANCE FRAUD.

Prohibits certain solicitation and inducement practices relating to insurance claims. Establishes disaster-related insurance fraud offenses. Broadens the scope of the offense of insurance fraud and the acts that constitute insurance fraud. Clarifies the penalties for the offense of insurance fraud and the capabilities and operations of the Insurance Fraud Investigations Branch, including the annual report to the Legislature and the use of fraud analytics. Reiterates protections for insurance fraud whistleblowers. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens insurance fraud enforcement through enhanced penalties, investigations, and whistleblower protections, directly advancing criminal justice enforcement mechanisms.85% confidence

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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 both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2418: RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

SB 2418 would repeal the existing prohibition on drug paraphernalia under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change would remove the ban on items like pipes, bongs, or other equipment typically used for drug consumption from the law. The bill directly affects individuals who might otherwise face legal consequences for possessing such items under current law. The key mechanism is the direct removal of this specific prohibition from the legal code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals prohibition on drug paraphernalia, reducing minor criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of decriminalizing low-level offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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