STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3188

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1626

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1626, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharge all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of this measure;

(2) Encourage the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles; and

(3) Repeal certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Nā ʻŌpio Waiwai, ʻEkolu Mea Nui, Libertarian Party of Hawaii, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Debt Free Justice Hawaiʻi, Opportunity for Youth Action Hawaiʻi, Adult Friends for Youth, Hale Kipa, and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that assessing fees, fines, or court costs against minors or holding their parents or caregivers financially accountable for offenses committed during childhood and adolescence can create lasting barriers to economic opportunity and family stability. Your Committee believes that fees and fines should not be assessed for mistakes made in a person's youth, regardless of the age at which or jurisdiction in which the person is adjudicated or sentenced. This measure will enable minors and their families and caregivers to focus financial resources on services necessary for rehabilitation, including basic necessities, housing, counseling, education, and mental health support, rather than for fines and court costs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1626, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair