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Ka 'Aha'ōlelo Moku'āina 'O Hawai'i

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Measure details
Measure Title: RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
Report Title: Family Violence; Dating Violence; Child Abuse; Criminal Procedure; Sentencing; Reduced Sentence; Evidence
Description: Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)
Companion:
Package: None
Current Referral: HSH, JHA
Introducer(s): GABBARD, San Buenaventura
Act:

Measure Status History

Sort by Date
DateChamberStatus Text
3/24/2026HThe committee(s) on HSH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
3/20/2026HBill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 03-24-26 10:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
3/12/2026HReferred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 17
3/12/2026HPass First Reading
3/10/2026HReceived from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 248) in amended form (SD 2).
3/10/2026SReport adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
3/6/2026S48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
3/6/2026SReported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3081) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
3/3/2026SThe committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.
2/24/2026SThe committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2/18/2026SReport adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2/18/2026SReported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2360) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2/6/2026SThe committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.
2/4/2026SThe committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
1/30/2026SThe committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
1/28/2026SReferred to HHS, JDC.
1/22/2026SPassed First Reading.
1/22/2026SIntroduced.

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All Versions of this Measure

SB2479_SD2 Link to SB2479_SD2 .PDF file
SB2479_SD1 Link to SB2479_SD1 .PDF file
SB2479 Link to SB2479 .PDF file

Committee Reports

SB2479_SD1_SSCR2360_ Link to committee report SB2479_SD1_SSCR2360_ .PDF file (opens in new window)
SB2479_SD2_SSCR3081_ Link to committee report SB2479_SD2_SSCR3081_ .PDF file (opens in new window)

Testimony

SB2479_TESTIMONY_HHS_02-04-26_
SB2479_SD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_03-03-26_
SB2479_SD2_TESTIMONY_HSH_03-24-26_

Hearing Notices

HHS
2/04/26 1:01P
CR 225 & Videoconference
HHS
2/06/26 1:00P
CR 225 & Videoconference
JDC
3/03/26 10:15A
CR 016 & Videoconference
HSH
3/24/26 10:00A
329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE