Bill > HB635

This bill addresses the legal protections for residential tenants in Hawaii by amending the state's Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to provide tenants with stronger legal recourse when landlords violate the law. Specifically, the bill allows tenants who successfully sue a landlord for a code violation to be awarded damages of either $1,000 or three times their sustained damages, whichever amount is greater. Additionally, the successful tenant can recover reasonable attorney's fees and the costs of the lawsuit. The legislative intent behind this bill is to help vulnerable tenants protect their rights by making it financially feasible to pursue legal action against landlords who engage in unfair or unlawful practices. The bill ensures that tenants are not discouraged from seeking justice due to the potential high costs of litigation, and it provides a financial deterrent for landlords who might otherwise violate the residential tenancy regulations. The new provisions will apply to legal proceedings initiated after the bill's effective date, and it does not impact any rights, penalties, or proceedings that occurred before its enactment.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=635&year=2025