Bill > HB444

This bill removes the requirement in several Hawaii state laws that a perpetrator of certain crimes must know or reasonably should know that the victim is 60 years of age or older. Specifically, the bill modifies statutes related to sentencing for crimes against seniors, assault, unauthorized entry into a dwelling, theft, and forgery. Under the current laws, for these crimes to be considered more serious when committed against seniors, the perpetrator must have been aware of the victim's age. The new bill eliminates this knowledge requirement, meaning that if a crime is committed against a person 60 or older, the more severe penalties can be applied regardless of whether the perpetrator knew the victim's age. This change could potentially provide additional protection for elderly individuals by making it easier to prosecute and impose stricter penalties on criminals who target seniors, even if the targeting was not intentional. The bill affects multiple sections of Hawaii's Revised Statutes and will take effect upon approval.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=444&year=2026