HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	833
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to commissioned volunteer enforcement officers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§46-    Commissioned volunteer enforcement officers. (a) The police departments of the several counties may establish and maintain a unit of commissioned volunteer enforcement officers within their traffic division who are authorized to:

(1) Confiscate disability parking permits pursuant to section 291-53.3;

(2) Access the property of a private entity during normal business hours of the entity to enforce provisions of part III of chapter 291, pursuant to section 291-59;

(3) Issue citations for expired vehicle registrations and safety check decals;

(4) Assist the police department in enforcing laws relating to derelict or abandoned vehicles; and

(5) Such other duties as may be assigned by the chief of police.

(b) The chief of police of the county shall have full authority and control over all commissioned volunteer enforcement officers.

(c) To qualify as a commissioned volunteer enforcement officer, an individual shall:

(1) Be a United States citizen, a resident of the county for which the individual is applying to serve as a volunteer, and at least twenty-one years of age;

(2) Possess a valid State of Hawaii driver's license;

(3) Possess a high school diploma, a general education diploma, or their equivalent;

(4) Complete a volunteer application;

(5) Pass a background investigation;

(6) Pass a physical examination and oral interview; and

(7) Satisfy other criteria as may be prescribed by the county chief of police.

(d) A commissioned volunteer enforcement officer shall be required to:

(1) Work a minimum of twenty hours per month; and

(2) Conform to the police department's standards of conduct, directives, orders, policies, and procedures while on and off duty.

(e) As used in this section, "commissioned volunteer enforcement officer" means a civilian volunteer commissioned by a county chief of police to act as an enforcement officer for limited purposes as determined by the county chief of police."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Commissioned Volunteer Enforcement Officers; Police Departments; Counties

Description:

Authorizes counties to establish a program for commissioned volunteer enforcement officers to assist their police department with specified enforcement actions within their traffic division.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.