HB2077 • 2026

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

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 LAB, JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance.

New Deadlines for Police Certification

This bill sets new deadlines for law enforcement officers in Hawaii to complete certification requirements.

What This Bill Does

Changes the deadline from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2028, for law enforcement officers to be certified by the Law Enforcement Standards Board.
Requires all new hires after July 1, 2028, to have completed a basic training program approved by the board and received specific training on minimizing excessive force.

Who It Names or Affects

Law enforcement officers in Hawaii
The Law Enforcement Standards Board

Terms To Know

certification: A formal process where the Law Enforcement Standards Board confirms that a police officer has met certain training and qualification requirements.
Law Enforcement Standards Board: The board responsible for setting standards and certifying law enforcement officers in Hawaii.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens to those who do not meet the certification deadline.
It does not provide details on how the new deadlines will be enforced or monitored.
The bill does not mention any penalties for non-compliance with these requirements.

Bill History

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

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Standards Board; Certification; Extension
Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2077

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2077

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

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.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

By Request

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.