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SB2504
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2504
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
The legislature finds that gun violence is on the rise and is among the leading
causes of premature and preventable death in the United States.
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The legislature finds that while Hawaii has some
of the strongest gun safety laws and lowest rates of gun deaths in the nation,
the State is not immune to rising incidents of gun violence, including gun
homicides and gun suicides.
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The
legislature finds that Act 150, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019 (Act 150),
establishes a preventative gun violence protective order law that authorizes a
law enforcement officer, family or household member, medical professional,
educator, or colleague to petition a court to temporarily prevent or remove an
individual's access to firearms if the individual poses a danger to themselves
or others.
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Act 150 requires county
police departments to take temporary custody of any and all firearms and
ammunition for safekeeping from an individual that is the subject of a gun
violence protective order.
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The
legislature additionally finds that since the implementation of Act 150, the
use and effectiveness of the law will be greatly improved through sufficient
funding for community-based gun violence intervention initiatives to allow State
and county law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to conduct public
awareness campaigns and improve public access to information through
educational and informational opportunities for Hawaii residents on the use of
gun violence protective orders.
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The
legislature finds that State and county law enforcement agencies are uniquely
positioned to provide community outreach and community-based gun violence
intervention initiatives. Training on gun violence protective orders is
necessary to assist county police departments in taking preventative action by
assessing whether a gun violence protective order or a referral to mental
health resources is appropriate for a person exhibiting warning signs or
threatening behavior who is at risk of committing gun violence.
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The
legislature recognizes that the judiciary, which reviews and processes
petitions and schedules court hearings for gun violence protective orders, will
foreseeably see an increase in caseload and require increased funding to meet
staffing needs in fulfilling the requirements of Act 150.
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The
legislature further finds that sensible gun violence prevention requires
collaboration among all levels of government, including counties, to educate
and promote public safety.
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Public
awareness campaigns and community outreach are essential in educating Hawaii
residents about State and federal laws and existing resources relating to gun
violence prevention, including safe and responsible gun ownership, filing and obtaining
orders of protection, and accessing mental health and substance abuse
resources.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Appropriate funds to the judiciary to enforce
gun violence protective orders, including the creation of a new court officer
unit, reviewing and processing of petitions, and facilitating court hearings;
and
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(2)
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Appropriate funds to the department of law
enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns to educate Hawaii residents
on gun violence, safety, intervention, and prevention through gun violence
protective order laws and recognizing the rights of individuals to take action
to protect themselves and others from situations that may escalate or result in
gun violence.
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SECTION
2.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for staffing and administrative costs,
including the hiring of personnel, to effectuate enforcement of gun violence
protective orders in accordance with part IV of chapter 134, Hawaii Revised
Statutes.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to conduct community-based gun violence
intervention initiatives, including public awareness campaigns on gun violence
protective orders.
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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the
purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1,
2026.
INTRODUCED
BY:
_____________________________
By
Request
Report Title:
Hawaii State Association of Counties Package; Gun Violence
Protective Orders; Public Awareness Campaigns; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates
funds to the Judiciary for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public
awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.