Bill > SB778

This bill prohibits sentencing "emerging adult defendants" - defined as individuals who are over 18 and under 21 years old at the time of their offense - to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The legislation is motivated by neuroscience research indicating that brain maturation continues through an individual's mid-twenties, suggesting that younger individuals may have reduced decision-making capacity and culpability. Drawing inspiration from a Massachusetts court decision, the bill aims to extend legal protections for young adults by preventing them from receiving the most severe sentencing option. Specifically, the bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 706 to explicitly state that no emerging adult defendant can be sentenced to life without parole, regardless of the crime committed. The new law will take effect immediately upon approval, marking a significant shift in how the state approaches sentencing for young adult offenders by recognizing their potential for rehabilitation and acknowledging the ongoing developmental changes in their brains.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=778&year=2025