THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3242

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ENCAMPMENTS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that encampments, including tents, makeshift shelters, and other temporary structures used for habitation, create a complex and pressing problem when close to school grounds.  When close to schools, these encampments can threaten the safety, health, and overall well-being of students, school staff, and surrounding communities.  Encampments can introduce environmental hazards, obstruct public access, and pose public safety concerns.

     The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the erection, placement, construction, or maintenance of an encampment within one hundred feet from the property line of a pre-K-12 public or private school or school facility on public or private property.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

school encampment buffer zone§   

     §   -1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter:

     "Buffer zone" means one hundred feet from the property line of a pre-K-12 public or private school or school facility on public or private property.

     "Encampment" means a tent, makeshift shelter, or any other temporary structure used for habitation.

     §   -2  Buffer zone; schools.  (a)  No person shall erect, place, construct, or maintain an encampment within a buffer zone of a pre-K-12 public or private school or school facility.

     (b)  Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to immediate removal and may be subject to a fine not to exceed $200.

     (c)  Nothing in this section shall preclude a person from being charged with a trespassing violation pursuant to chapter 708 or any other violation.

     (d)  The department of education, charter schools, and private schools may collaborate with law enforcement officers to identify and remove encampments within the buffer zone.

     (e)  Law enforcement personnel enforcing this section shall

provide information related to temporary housing and

homelessness assistance programs to individuals displaced from encampments.

     (f)  Law enforcement personnel shall take the personal belongings of individuals displaced from encampments into custody and store them at the police station or other designated location, to be returned to the individual upon release from custody."

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Encampments; Buffer Zone; Schools; Prohibition

 

Description:

Prohibits the erection, placement, construction, or maintenance of an encampment within one hundred feet from the property line of a pre-K-12 public or private school or school facility on public or private property. 

 

 

 

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