Bill > HB994

This bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow the offense of promoting pornography for minors to be instituted by written information, which is a legal document used to formally charge a criminal offense. Currently, this specific offense is on a list of exceptions that cannot be charged through written information, but the bill seeks to remove this restriction. The legislature's rationale is that this change will enhance the effectiveness of recent legislation (Act 244) that allows undercover operations to combat online sexual exploitation of children. The bill recognizes that large-scale undercover operations targeting individuals soliciting minors for sexual activities require expeditious charging, and other related offenses like electronic enticement of a child and commercial sexual exploitation of a minor can already be instituted by written information. By removing the restriction on promoting pornography for minors, prosecutors will have more flexibility in quickly initiating legal proceedings against individuals engaged in such criminal activities. The bill will take effect immediately upon approval and does not impact any legal proceedings or penalties that were already in progress before its enactment.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=994&year=2025