Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB676: Relating to Youth and Adult Correctional Facilities.
Status: In committee, February 12, 2026
Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to youth and adult correctional facilities.
From the introduced text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State should protect incarcerated persons and their loved ones from predatory commercial practices. Private corporations providing goods and services •to state correctional facilities should not be allowed to charge exorbitant rates. Currently, the provision of jail and prison communication services is a lucrative industry dominated by a few corporations. Correctional facilities also benefit financially from communication services contracts by receiving commissions, bonuses, and other financial incentives. The legislature further finds that the high cost of jail and prison communication services is a significant economic drain for incarcerated persons and their families. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights found that one in three families with an incarcerated loved one goes into debt to pay for communication services and visits. In Hawai'i, these costs disproportionately impact Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other people of color. According to the Ella Baker Center1s 2025--0439 RB SMA-1.docx ~ HB. NO. ~ research, eighty-seven per cent of those who go into debt for jail and prison communication services are women of color. The legislature recognizes the importance of communication services for persons who are incarcerated. Maintaining family and community connections is key for successful reentry into society. Many incarcerated persons will reside with their families after …
Sponsors
- Della Belatti (D, 26) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13)
- Kanani Souza (R, 43)
- Gregg Takayama (D, 34)
- David Tarnas (D, 8)
- Chris Todd (D, 3)
- Gene Ward (R)
Latest actions
- : Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Reported from PBS/HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 227-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
- : The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Amato.
- : The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS/HSH on Friday, 02-06-26 10:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Referred to PBS/HSH, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 2
- : Introduced and Pass First Reading.
- : Pending introduction.
Votes
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (February 12, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 6, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HSH: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 6, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, Prohibition, Youth And Adult Correctional Facilities, Reports
Common questions
- What is HB676?
- HB676 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Youth and Adult Correctional Facilities.
- What does HB676 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to youth and adult correctional facilities.
- What is the status of HB676?
- In committee as of February 12, 2026. Latest action: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). (February 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB676?
- Della Belatti (D, 26), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB676?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=676&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.