Bill > HB963

This bill amends existing Hawaii law to increase protections for older adults by establishing "strict liability" for certain assault crimes when the victim is seventy years of age or older. Strict liability means that a person can be found guilty of the crime regardless of their intent or knowledge regarding the victim's age, as long as the victim was indeed seventy or older. Specifically, the bill raises the age threshold from sixty to seventy in the definitions of assault in the first degree and assault in the second degree, and it removes the requirement that the perpetrator knew or should have known the victim was of a certain age. This change aims to ensure that those who commit assaults against seniors face legal consequences without the prosecution needing to prove the perpetrator's awareness of the victim's age, thereby strengthening penalties for crimes against this vulnerable population.

Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=963&year=2026