HB1567

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a need to address the substantial and continued overcrowding of facilities used to house pretrial defendants. One way to address this issue is through bail reform.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Eliminate the use of monetary bail and require defendants to be released on their own recognizance for traffic offenses, violations, nonviolent petty misdemeanor offenses, nonviolent misdemeanor offenses, and nonviolent class C felony offenses; and

(2) Allow defendants the option to participate in a bail report interview via videoconference.

SECTION 2. Chapter 804, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§804- Monetary bail; nonviolent offenders. (a) Any defendant arrested, charged, and held for a traffic offense, violation, nonviolent petty misdemeanor offense, nonviolent misdemeanor offense, or nonviolent class C felony offense shall be ordered by the court to be released on the defendant's own recognizance at arraignment and plea conditioned upon:

(1) The defendant's appearance in court; and

(2) Any other least restrictive, non-monetary condition necessary to:

(A) Ensure the defendant's appearance in court; and

(B) Protect the public.

(b) This section shall not apply if:

(1) The offense involves:

(A) Assault;

(B) Terroristic threatening;

(D) Abuse of family or household members;

(E) Violation of a temporary restraining order;

(F) Violation of an order for protection;

(G) Violation of a restraining order or injunction;

(H) Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant;

(I) Negligent homicide;

(J) A minor;

(K) Unauthorized entry into a dwelling; or

(L) Any other crime of violence; or

(2) One or more of the following apply:

(A) The defendant has a history of non-appearance in the last twenty-four months;

(B) The defendant has at least one prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime of violence or felony crime of violence within the last eight years;

(D) The defendant was on probation, parole, or conditional release at the time of arrest;

(E) The defendant is also concurrently charged with a violent petty misdemeanor, a violent misdemeanor, or any felony offense arising from the same or separate incident; or

(F) The defendant presents a risk of danger to any other person or to the community, or a risk of recidivism.

(c) If any of the exceptions in subsection (b) apply, bail may be set in a reasonable amount pursuant to section 804-9, taking into consideration the defendant's financial ability to afford bail. If the defendant is unable to post the amount of bail, the defendant shall be entitled to a prompt hearing under section 804-7.5. If the defendant is unable to post bail in the amount of $99 or less, the director of public safety may, in the director's discretion, release the defendant.

(d) This section shall neither preclude law enforcement from setting an initial bail before arraignment, nor prevent a court from determining bail or conditions of release at arraignment should an initial bail be set by law enforcement before arraignment.

§804- Bail report interview; videoconference. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a defendant shall be allowed to participate in a bail report interview via videoconference.

(b) If a defendant chooses to participate in a bail report interview via videoconference, the department of public safety shall comply with and make any necessary arrangements to implement the defendant's selection."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1567
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII