SB 2727: Hawaii Civil Rights Commission; Anti-discrimination; Statute of Limitations
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-04-27
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-05-28: Act 056, on 05/28/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1156).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill lengthens the time people have to file a discrimination complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission from 180 days to one year. It covers complaints based on when the discriminatory act happened or the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discrimination.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. (CD1)
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2727 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has a strong, historic commitment to civil rights. The legislature further finds that the extension to the statute of limitations provided by this Act would ensure that individuals in Hawaii have greater access to civil-rights protections that reflect the community values of the State: fairness, dignity, and inclusion. The legislature also finds that this extension provides individuals with a more reasonable timeframe to recognize, report, and seek redress for unlawful discrimination under Hawaii state law.
The purpose of this Act is to extend the statute of limitations for filing complaints with the Hawaii civil rights commission to one year.
SECTION 2. Section 368-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c)
No complaint shall be filed after the expiration of [one hundred
eighty days] one year after the date:
(1) Upon which the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice occurred; or
(2) Of the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discriminatory practice."
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 Civil Rights Commission; Anti-discrimination; Statute of Limitations
Description:
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. (CD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2727 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has a strong, historic commitment to civil rights. The legislature further finds that the extension to the statute of limitations provided by this Act would ensure that individuals in Hawaii have greater access to civil-rights protections that reflect the community values of the State: fairness, dignity, and inclusion. The legislature also finds that this extension provides individuals with a more reasonable timeframe to recognize, report, and seek redress for unlawful discrimination under Hawaii state law.
The purpose of this Act is to extend the statute of limitations for filing complaints with the Hawaii civil rights commission to one year.
SECTION 2. Section 368-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c)
No complaint shall be filed after the expiration of [one hundred
eighty days] one year after the date:
(1) Upon which the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice occurred; or
(2) Of the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discriminatory practice."
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 Civil Rights Commission; Anti-discrimination; Statute of Limitations
Description:
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. 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.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2727 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to discrimination.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has a strong, historic commitment to civil rights. The legislature further finds that the extension to the statute of limitations provided by this Act would ensure that individuals in Hawaii have greater access to civil-rights protections that reflect the community values of the State: fairness, dignity, and inclusion. The legislature also finds that this extension allows individuals with a more reasonable timeframe to recognize, report, and seek redress for unlawful discrimination under Hawaii state law.
The purpose of this Act is to extend the statute of limitations for filing complaints with the Hawaii civil rights commission to one year.
SECTION 2. Section 368-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
"(c)
No complaint shall be filed after the expiration of [one hundred
eighty days] one year after the date:
(1) Upon which the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice occurred; or
(2) Of the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discriminatory practice."
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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Hawaii Civil Rights Commission; Anti-discrimination; Statute of Limitations
Description:
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| May 28, 2026 | Act 056, on 05/28/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1156). |
| May 28, 2026 | Act 056, 05/28/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1156). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Enrolled to Governor. |
| May 1, 2026 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 882). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 803). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Thursday, 04-30-26. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 7-26) as amended in (CD 1). |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-26. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 7-26). |
| Apr 23, 2026 | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 23, 2026 | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-26 2:35PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720). |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Chang, Awa. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800). |
| Apr 21, 2026 | House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Poepoe, Shimizu. |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564). |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Senate disagrees with House amendments. |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 479). |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Olds, Quinlan excused (3). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1588-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-17-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to JHA, referral sheet 16 |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 77). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | One Day Notice 3/06/2026. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2805) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 9:05AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Referred to JDC. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Introduced. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 30, 2026 | Final Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 30, 2026 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 6, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Disability and Communication Access Board | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawaii Women Lawyers | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Pride at Work – Hawai‘i | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2805
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2727
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. 2727 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to lengthen the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission to one year.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that existing law provides only one hundred eighty days for a person to file a complaint against unlawful discrimination with the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, one of the shortest filing periods among comparable state agencies in the nation. People who experience discrimination often need time to process what happened, find legal advice, or deal with personal and financial challenges before they can file a complaint. Consequently, a short deadline may prevent these individuals from attaining justice before they even have a chance to act. This measure will extend the deadline to bring the State in line with other jurisdictions and ensure that victims of discrimination have a fair and reasonable opportunity to seek help regardless of available federal administrative remedies.
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. 2727 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
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________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 17, 2026 | SB2727_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Feb 18, 2026 | SB2727_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-18-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Conference Committee
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
30SEC
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
7MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
7MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
50SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
50SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):