Bill > HB2539

This bill establishes the right for individuals to record law enforcement activities, defining "law enforcement activity" as anything a police officer does while acting under the authority of the law, and "record" as capturing images, sounds, or observations. It clarifies that people not under arrest or in custody have this right and can keep their recordings and recording devices, and even those under arrest retain rights to recordings made before their arrest and to have their equipment returned. The bill also creates a "private right of action," meaning individuals can sue if a law enforcement officer interferes with their right to record by actions such as preventing recording, threatening the person, ordering them to stop when legally allowed to record, or unlawfully seizing or destroying recordings or equipment, with a defense available if the officer had probable cause to arrest the person for a crime.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2539&year=2026