Bill > HB610

This bill establishes a Cold Case Investigation Unit within Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to help solve long-unsolved criminal cases. The legislature notes that out of 2,182 homicides reported between 1965 and 2023, 728 remain unsolved, and while each county has a cold case unit, additional resources are needed. The new unit will employ attorneys, investigators, and other personnel to assist federal, state, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies in investigating unsolved cases with a connection to Hawaii, including homicides, sexual offenses, missing persons, and unidentified remains. The unit can both accept investigation requests and proactively offer assistance, with a "cold case" defined as a case where all investigative leads have been exhausted and the case has been closed for a significant period without active leads. The bill includes an appropriation of funds for the unit's establishment and operation in fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, and is set to take effect on July 1, 3000 (which appears to be a placeholder date).

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=610&year=2026