Bill > SB262

This bill modifies Hawaii's jury selection process by giving the Judiciary more flexibility in how it manages juror qualification forms. The bill allows the court to determine the format of the juror qualification form and the methods for delivering and returning it, removing the previous requirement that forms must be mailed. The Judiciary can now use multiple methods to contact potential jurors and can attempt to reach out to a single juror more than once. The bill expands the clerk's ability to work with juror qualification forms by allowing the clerk or a designee to handle form distribution, collection, and follow-up. The core requirements remain the same: prospective jurors must still provide their name, address, age, and other information relevant to jury service eligibility. The form still requires a declaration of truthfulness, with potential penalties for willful misrepresentation. Notably, the bill does not change the fundamental process of jury selection but provides administrative flexibility to improve the efficiency of jury summons and qualification. The bill is set to take effect on April 23, 2057, which suggests it is a forward-looking piece of legislation designed to accommodate potential future changes in communication technologies.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=262&year=2026