SB 2519: Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Standards Board; Certification; Extension

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 139-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person [may] shall be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person:

     (1)  Has satisfactorily completed a basic program of law enforcement training approved by the board;

     (2)  Has received training designed to minimize the use of excessive force, including legal standards, de‑escalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, mental health response, implicit bias, and first aid; and

     (3)  Possesses other qualifications as prescribed by the board for the employment of law enforcement officers, including minimum age, education, physical and mental standards, citizenship, good conduct, moral character, and experience.

     (b)  Beginning on July 1, [2026,] 2028, the board shall issue a certification to an applicant or law enforcement officer who meets the requirements of subsection (a) or who has satisfactorily completed a program or course of instruction in another jurisdiction that the board deems to be equivalent in content and quality to the requirements of subsection (a)."

     SECTION 2.  Section 139-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person shall be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer by any county police department, the department of law enforcement, the department of land and natural resources, the department of taxation, or the department of the attorney general after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person possesses a valid certification issued by the board pursuant to section 139-6(b)."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Standards Board; Certification; Extension

Description:

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.  (CD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 139-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person [may] shall be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person:

     (1)  Has satisfactorily completed a basic program of law enforcement training approved by the board;

     (2)  Has received training designed to minimize the use of excessive force, including legal standards, de‑escalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, mental health response, implicit bias, and first aid; and

     (3)  Possesses other qualifications as prescribed by the board for the employment of law enforcement officers, including minimum age, education, physical and mental standards, citizenship, good conduct, moral character, and experience.

     (b)  Beginning on July 1, [2026,] 2028, the board shall issue a certification to an applicant or law enforcement officer who meets the requirements of subsection (a) or who has satisfactorily completed a program or course of instruction in another jurisdiction that the board deems to be equivalent in content and quality to the requirements of subsection (a)."

     SECTION 2.  Section 139-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person shall be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer by any county police department, the department of law enforcement, the department of land and natural resources, the department of taxation, or the department of the attorney general after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person possesses a valid certification issued by the board pursuant to section 139-6(b)."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Standards Board; Certification; Extension

Description:

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 139-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person may be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person:

     (1)  Has satisfactorily completed a basic program of law enforcement training approved by the board;

     (2)  Has received training designed to minimize the use of excessive force, including legal standards, de_‑escalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, mental health response, implicit bias, and first aid; and

     (3)  Possesses other qualifications as prescribed by the board for the employment of law enforcement officers, including minimum age, education, physical and mental standards, citizenship, good conduct, moral character, and experience.

     (b)  Beginning on July 1, [2026,] 2028, the board shall issue a certification to an applicant or law enforcement officer who meets the requirements of subsection (a) or who has satisfactorily completed a program or course of instruction in another jurisdiction that the board deems to be equivalent in content and quality to the requirements of subsection (a)."

     SECTION 2.  Section 139-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  No person shall be appointed or employed as a law enforcement officer by any county police department, the department of law enforcement, the department of land and natural resources, the department of taxation, or the department of the attorney general after June 30, [2026,] 2028, unless the person possesses a valid certification issued by the board pursuant to section 139-6(b)."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Standards Board; Certification; Extension

Description:

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3087

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2519

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2519 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi Police Department, and four individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that full implementation of the state law enforcement standards law, established in 2018, requires substantial work that cannot be completed before the current statutory deadline of June 30, 2026, primarily because of lack of funds and staff for the Law Enforcement Standards Board.  Due to delays caused by these issues, the Board requires additional time to establish and enforce its statewide certification program.  Your Committee further finds that providing additional time to develop an appropriate law enforcement training and certification process will benefit both officer and community safety.  Additionally, failing to extend the existing deadline will jeopardize every criminal investigation and prosecution pending in the State and expose law enforcement agencies to potential liability as a result of having law enforcement officers who are not duly certified as required by law.  This measure will afford the Law Enforcement Standards Board critical time to meet its statutory obligations while maintaining high standards of professionalism and public trust.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2519 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2127

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2519

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2519 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Law Enforcement, Law Enforcement Standards Board, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Maui Police Department, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, and two individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Law Enforcement Standards Board is responsible for establishing uniform certification standards for all state and county law enforcement agencies.  Establishing these standards for law enforcement officers requires administrative rules, standardized processes, and supporting systems to ensure consistent determinations, accurate documentation, and uniform application.  Additionally, these standards must be transparent and accountable to the public.

     Your Committee further finds that the Law Enforcement Standards Board has limited administrative capacity to implement certification procedures.  Because of this limited capacity, the Law Enforcement Standards Board will face significant challenges in meeting the existing deadline of June 30, 2026.  Importantly, even if the Legislature appropriated additional funds to the Law Enforcement Standards Board, those funds would not be available until after the deadline for certification.  Accordingly, this measure extends the deadline for the certification of law enforcement officers in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2519 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,