Governor Josh Green enacted two measures that strengthen Hawaiʻi’s efforts to protect vulnerable individuals, support survivors and hold offenders accountable. HB 1960, Act 191, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi (SLH), and HB 1959, Act 192 SLH, build upon the state’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, address domestic violence and enhance public safety systems statewide.
Through powerful public education and coordinated systems that protect vulnerable individuals, these measures equip professionals, bystanders and the legal system with the knowledge and tools to recognize warning signs, respond appropriately and improve protections for those at risk. A comprehensive, trauma-informed approach to awareness and training supports prevention, promotes early intervention and strengthens long-term support for survivors.
HB 1960, Act 191, establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure workers in the transient accommodations sector receive education on human trafficking awareness, identification, prevention and response. The measure requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program and approve comparable training programs developed by external entities. It also requires transient accommodation employers and third-party contractors to provide regular human trafficking awareness training to employees and contract workers, maintain training records, post required signage, and implement human trafficking prevention policies with clear reporting procedures.
HB 1959: RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HB 1959, Act 192, extends a critical pilot program established by Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s response to domestic violence. The pilot program established a petty misdemeanor offense for abuse of a family or household member, authorized courts to offer deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in certain qualifying cases, and required the Judiciary to submit comprehensive annual reports to the Legislature on domestic violence cases. By extending the pilot program for an additional five years, this measure allows the state to continue evaluating and strengthening its response to domestic violence while supporting informed policymaking through ongoing data collection and reporting.
Together, HB 1960 and HB 1959 establish thorough strategies to optimize our practices, spanning legal accountability, education, prevention and data-informed insight.
The complete list of bills signed includes the following.
HB 1682 – RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES – Act 195
SB 2135 – RELATING TO PRIVACY – Act 196
SB 3045 – RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE – Act 197
SB 3324 – RELATING TO MEDICAID – Act 198
SB 2340 – RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES – Act 199
SB 2861 – RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE – Act 200
SB 3204 – RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM – Act 201
HB 1961 – RELATING TO HEALTH CARE – Act 202
