REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A YOUTH DIGITAL SAFETY AND PLATFORM ACCOUNTABILITY WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED ABUSE IN THE STATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATORY SAFEGUARDS.

SR41

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

41

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of the attorney general to
convene a youth digital safety and platform accountability working group to examine
technology-facilitated abuse in the State and develop recommendations for
regulatory safeguards
.

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WHEREAS, digital
technologies and connected devices have become integral to most aspects of
daily life, including transportation, education, and personal safety; and

����
WHEREAS, emerging
forms of technology-facilitated abuse, including the use of tracking
applications, location-sharing tools, spyware, stalking software, and connected
devices, are increasingly used to harass, monitor, and control individuals,
particularly women, girls, and survivors of domestic and gender‑based
violence; and

����
WHEREAS, nonconsensual
distribution of intimate images, deepfake technologies, and artificial
intelligence-generated content have created new avenues for exploitation and
coercion that outpace existing legal frameworks; and

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WHEREAS, youth
and young adults are disproportionately affected by online harassment,
cyberstalking, and digital coercion, yet often lack access to clear reporting
pathways, culturally competent support services, and consistent protections
across digital platforms; and

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WHEREAS, the
State's geographic isolation and reliance on digital connectivity for
education, employment, and community engagement heighten the importance of safe
and secure digital environments for residents across all islands; and

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WHEREAS, the
State has a compelling interest in preventing gender-based violence, protecting
privacy and civil liberties, and ensuring that emerging technologies are
developed and deployed in ways that uphold safety, dignity, and equity; and

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WHEREAS, addressing
technology-facilitated abuse requires coordinated action across state agencies,
the private sector, survivor service providers, and youth leaders; now,
therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of the Attorney General is
requested to convene a Youth Digital Safety and Platform Accountability Working
Group to examine technology‑facilitated abuse in the State and develop
recommendations for regulatory safeguards; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include:

����
(1)
�
The Attorney General or their designee, who
shall serve as chair of the working group;

����
(2)
�
The Director of Human Services or their
designee;

����
(3)
�
The Executive Director of the Office of
Wellness and Resilience or their designee;

����
(4)
�
The Executive Director of the State Commission
on the Status of Women or their designee;

����
(5)
�
The Prosecuting Attorney for the City and
County of Honolulu or their designee;

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(6)
�
A representative from the Hawaii State Youth
Commission, to be invited by the chair;

����
(7)
�
A representative from the Youth Commission of
the City and County of Honolulu, to be invited by the chair;

����
(8)
�
A representative from the Domestic Violence
Action Center, to be invited by the chair;

����
(9)
�
A representative from the Sex Abuse Treatment
Center, to be invited by the chair;

���
(10)
�
A representative from Imua Alliance, to be
invited by the chair; and

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(11)
�
A representative from the Hawaii Public Health
Institute, to be invited by the chair; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Assess the prevalence and forms of technology-facilitated
abuse in the State, including stalking through location-tracking tools,
coercive control through connected devices, and image-based sexual abuse;

����
(2)
�
Review existing federal and state laws
addressing cyberstalking, harassment, privacy, and image-based abuse, and
identify gaps in legal protections;

����
(3)
�
Evaluate the policies and practices of digital
platforms and technology companies regarding user safety, reporting mechanisms,
and response to abuse;

����
(4)
�
Identify best practices from other states and
jurisdictions for regulating harmful technologies and strengthening survivor
protections;

����
(5)
�
Examine the impact of emerging technologies,
including artificial intelligence, on gender-based violence and youth safety;

����
(6)
�
Consider opportunities for public-private
partnerships to enhance accountability and user safety; and

����
(7)
�
Recommend legislative and policy interventions
to prevent technology-facilitated abuse, strengthen enforcement, and improve
survivor services; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings
and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no
later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027;
and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Attorney General, Director of Human Services, Executive Director of the Office
of Wellness and Resilience, Executive Director of the State Commission on the
Status of Women, and Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

AG;
Youth Digital Safety; Platform Accountability; Working Group; Report