Bill > HB2197

This bill establishes a process for property owners to use law enforcement to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings, creating new criminal offenses and reclassifying existing ones to address "squatting," which is defined as knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to reside there, evidenced by actions like sleeping there, storing belongings, changing locks, or presenting false documents to claim occupancy. The bill also criminalizes the fraudulent sale or lease of residential property, making both squatting and fraudulent transactions a class C felony, which is a serious crime. Furthermore, it elevates criminal trespass in the first degree, specifically when unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling, to a class C felony, and classifies property damage caused by squatters as criminal property damage in the second degree, while falsifying documents to claim occupancy is now considered unsworn falsification to authorities. The bill also outlines a procedure for owners to notify and then seek law enforcement assistance to remove unauthorized individuals after a 24-hour notice period, with provisions for handling abandoned personal property and protections for law enforcement acting in good faith, though individuals wrongfully removed can sue the property owner for damages.

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2197&year=2026