Bill > HB917

This bill addresses drug possession offenses in Hawaii, specifically targeting methamphetamine and fentanyl, by establishing mandatory minimum prison sentences for individuals convicted of possessing these substances. The legislation responds to Hawaii's significant drug abuse challenges, including being labeled the "methamphetamine capital of the United States" and experiencing rising drug-related deaths, with methamphetamine use being twice the national average and fentanyl-related deaths increasing by 35% in 2023. The bill modifies existing sentencing laws to restrict probation options and impose mandatory minimum imprisonment terms for drug possession offenses involving methamphetamine and fentanyl. Specifically, the bill creates new sentencing guidelines that require: a mandatory minimum one-year imprisonment for class A felony drug possession, modified eligibility for probation for drug offenses, and specific sentencing ranges for class B and C felony drug possession, with the goal of deterring drug use and addressing the state's ongoing substance abuse challenges. The new provisions apply to possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl, including their various chemical forms and derivatives, and aim to provide a more stringent legal approach to drug possession offenses.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=917&year=2026