Bill > SB1149

This bill enhances Hawaii's hate crimes reporting and documentation system by introducing a new definition of "reported hate crime" as any incident where bias or prejudice may have been a motivating factor, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to collect and report comprehensive data about potential hate crimes, including details such as the nature of the offense, demographic information of victims and suspects, incident location and date, and investigation status. Law enforcement officers will be mandated to receive annual training on identifying, investigating, and documenting hate crimes, with specific guidance on recognizing bias indicators and engaging with affected communities. The Attorney General will be responsible for developing a system to collect, store, and analyze hate crime data, and must establish or update guidelines and training materials within 90 days of the act's effective date. Agencies that fail to comply with reporting requirements may face administrative penalties, and the overall goal is to improve transparency, accountability, and understanding of bias-motivated violence. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2077.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1149&year=2026