Bill > HB277

This bill establishes comprehensive statewide guidelines for vehicular pursuits by law enforcement agencies, effective January 1, 2027, with the primary goal of balancing public safety and effective law enforcement. Under the new law, officers can only initiate a pursuit when they have reasonable suspicion that a person in the vehicle has committed specific serious offenses, such as felonies involving physical injury, kidnapping, sexual offenses, or driving under the influence. Before and during a pursuit, officers must obtain supervisory approval, continuously assess the safety risks, and consider alternative approaches. The bill mandates that pursuing officers activate emergency lights, sirens, and recording devices, and requires immediate termination of the pursuit if it becomes too dangerous. Additionally, the legislation prohibits firing weapons at moving vehicles except in extreme circumstances and compels law enforcement agencies to submit detailed annual reports to the Attorney General about each pursuit, including information like reasons, duration, circumstances, and outcomes. The reports will be made publicly available, though personal identifying information will be redacted. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to develop specific pursuit policies, provide regular training for officers, and establish clear disciplinary consequences for policy violations, with the Attorney General empowered to investigate and take legal action if necessary.

Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=277&year=2025