Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1769: Relating to Correctional Facilities.
Status: Passed one chamber, April 27, 2026
Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of individuals incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions . Requires reports to the Legislature.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to correctional facilities.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's long standing reliance on incarceration, including the use of private, for-profit correctional facilities located outside the State, has caused significant harm to incarcerated persons, their families, and communities. The practice of transferring Hawaii inmates to the continental United States separates individuals from their ohana, culture, and support systems; undermines rehabilitation; and creates barriers to successful reentry. Findings of the House Concurrent Resolution No. task force (task force) concluded that mass incarceration has not improved public safety, imposes high fiscal and social costs, and fails to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior. The legislature further finds that the continued use of out-of-state private prisons weakens accountability, limits transparency, and prioritizes cost containment over rehabilitation and public safety. Reports and community 2026-1970 HB1769 SDl SMA.docx Page 2 1769 H.B. NO H.D. S.D. testimony demonstrate that incarceration far from home increases trauma, disrupts family unity, and contributes to higher rates of recidivism. Consistent with the task force's recommendations, the State must transition toward a corrections system that emphasizes treatment, rehabilitation, and community based alternatives rooted in evidence-based and culturally responsive practices. The legislature recognizes that Native Hawaiians and other disproportionately affected communities are overrepresented at every stage of the State's criminal legal system and are more …
Sponsors
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Hartsfield, Daisy (D, 36)
- Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13)
- Jackson Sayama (D, 21)
- Kanani Souza (R, 43)
Latest actions
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 760).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Fukunaga Chair; Elefante Co-Chair; Lee, C., Inouye.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).
- : House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
- : Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 526) in amended form (SD 1).
- : Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante, Moriwaki. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- : One Day Notice 04-10-26.
- : Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3648) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
- : The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Elefante ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
- : The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-08-26 10:01AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
Votes
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 8, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- PSM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 25, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0) (March 10, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
- JHA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 25, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (February 20, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Correctional Facilities, Reports
Common questions
- What is HB1769?
- HB1769 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Correctional Facilities.
- What does HB1769 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to correctional facilities.
- What is the status of HB1769?
- Passed one chamber as of April 27, 2026. Latest action: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 760). (April 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1769?
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1769?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1769&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.