summary
Introduced
01/26/2026
01/26/2026
In Committee
03/06/2026
03/06/2026
Crossed Over
03/10/2026
03/10/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Temporarily specifies that a court may grant a deferred acceptance of guilty plea only for petty misdemeanor offenses, rather than for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor offenses. Extends for five years certain provisions from Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, relating to abuse of family or household members, including establishing a petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household members, clarifying penalties for violations, and allowing a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
AI Summary
This bill modifies laws related to domestic violence by temporarily limiting the ability of courts to grant a "deferred acceptance of guilty plea" – a legal process where a defendant agrees to certain conditions and, if successful, the charges are dismissed, preventing a formal conviction – to only petty misdemeanor offenses, excluding other misdemeanor offenses. It also extends for five years certain provisions from previous laws (Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021) that established a petty misdemeanor offense for abuse of family or household members, clarified penalties, and allowed for deferred acceptance of guilty pleas for such offenses. Additionally, the bill mandates that the judiciary submit annual reports to the legislature detailing various aspects of domestic violence cases, including outcomes, defendant actions, program completion rates, and recidivism, with a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program due in 2030.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (31)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Della Belatti (D)*,
Cory Chun (D)*,
Tina Grandinetti (D)*,
Daisy Hartsfield (D)*,
Mark Hashem (D)*,
Ikaika Hussey (D)*,
Linda Ichiyama (D)*,
Greggor Ilagan (D)*,
Jeanné Kapela (D)*,
Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D)*,
Darius Kila (D)*,
Matthias Kusch (D)*,
Michael Lee (D)*,
Nicole Lowen (D)*,
Lisa Marten (D)*,
Scot Matayoshi (D)*,
Lauren Matsumoto (R)*,
Dee Morikawa (D)*,
Ikaika Olds (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Mahina Poepoe (D)*,
Julie Reyes Oda (R)*,
Jackson Sayama (D)*,
Kanani Souza (R)*,
Gregg Takayama (D)*,
Jenna Takenouchi (D)*,
Adrian Tam (D)*,
David Tarnas (D)*,
Shirley Ann Templo (D)*,
Kyle Yamashita (D)*,
Last Action
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. (on 03/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1959&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1959_HD2_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB1959_HD2_HSCR1127-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB1959_HD2_HSCR1127-26_.pdf |
| HB1959_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-25-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB1959_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_02-25-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1959_HD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB1959_HD1_HSCR378-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB1959_HD1_HSCR378-26_.pdf |
| HB1959_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-10-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB1959_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-10-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB1959_.HTM |
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