Bill > SB1417

This bill amends Hawaii's Revised Statutes to expand legal protections for protective services workers by adding them to existing assault and terroristic threatening statutes. Specifically, the bill defines "protective services worker" as an administrator, specialist, social worker, case manager, or aide employed by the Department of Human Services who investigates or provides services in response to reports of child abuse, child neglect, or abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. Under the new provisions, intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker while they are performing their duties would be considered assault in the second degree, which is a class C felony. Additionally, the bill clarifies that threats made against protective services workers arising from their official duties would constitute terroristic threatening in the first degree. This expansion of legal protections aims to safeguard workers who are responsible for investigating and responding to cases of abuse and neglect, recognizing the potentially dangerous nature of their work and providing enhanced legal consequences for those who might harm or threaten them.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1417&year=2026