HB2074 • 2026

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Crime

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action: 2026-01-28
Official status: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact penalties for hindering prosecution are specified only when the offense committed by another person is murder, but no specific details are provided for other offenses.

Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package

This bill establishes a gradient penalty structure for hindering prosecution in the first degree, based on the level of offense hindered.

What This Bill Does

Establishes that hindering prosecution in the first degree is an offense one class or grade lower than the crime committed by the other person.
Specifies that when the offense committed by another person is murder in any degree, hindering prosecution becomes a class A felony.
Does not affect rights and duties that matured before its effective date.

Who It Names or Affects

People who help others avoid being caught or punished for committing crimes in Hawaii.
Law enforcement agencies in Hawaii.

Terms To Know

Hindering prosecution: When someone helps a criminal to avoid being caught, arrested, or punished by the law.
Accomplice liability: The responsibility of someone who helps another person commit a crime.

Limits and Unknowns

It is unclear if and when the bill will be passed or signed into law.
Does not specify how this will affect current cases where people have already helped criminals.

Bill History

2026-01-28 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Public Safety; Hindering Prosecution; Accomplice Liability; Sanctions; Penalties
Establishes a gradient penalty structure for the offense of hindering prosecution in the first degree, based on the level of offense hindered.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2074

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2074

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Public Safety
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that there is a
need to hold accountable persons who have assisted offenders after the
commission of serious crimes.
�
Often,
these individuals are subject to limited sanctions for hindering prosecution in
the first degree, a class C felony offense.

����
The
legislature further finds that, under existing law, accomplice liability, which
subjects a person to the same level of penalty as the percipient actor, does
not apply to actions or assistance provided after the offense is committed.
�
Thus, for example, an individual who assists
a mass murderer by providing the offender shelter, food, or transportation
after the commission of the offense would only be subject to a maximum penalty
of a five-year prison term.
�
A person who
provided similar assistance to a person who killed or attempted to kill a
police officer would also be limited to a maximum penalty of a five-year prison
term.

����
The
legislature believes that establishing a structure for more appropriate
penalties, which takes into consideration the scope of the offenses and acts in
question, will promote greater respect for the law, ensure offenders receive an
appropriate sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offense, provide
adequate deterrence for future criminal activity, and better protect the
public.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish appropriate sanctions for offenders who
render assistance and hinder the apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or
punishment of another offender.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 710-1029, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (2) to read as follows:

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"(2)
�
Hindering prosecution in the first degree is [
a
class C felony.
]
an offense one class or grade, as the case may be,
lower than the offense committed by the other person; provided that when the
offense committed by the other person is murder in any degree, hindering
prosecution is a class A felony.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION 4.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

By Request

Report Title:

Hawaii
Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Public Safety; Hindering Prosecution;
Accomplice Liability; Sanctions; Penalties

Description:

Establishes
a gradient penalty structure for the offense of hindering prosecution in the
first degree, based on the level of offense hindered.

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