WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

GM 1117

Informing the Legislature that on April 10, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB112 SD2 (ACT 017).

2025 Regular Session

The law lets surviving immediate family members obtain a police closing report after an investigation, with delivery within set timeframes and redactions as needed.

Received.
#act017
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · GM 1117

Summary of GM1117: Act Relating to Police Reports (Act 017)

Status: Received (SB112 SD2 enacted as Act 017); Governor signed into law on April 10, 2025. Proclamation GM1117 informs the Legislature of the enactment.

Purpose and Intent

  • Address the difficulty families face in obtaining the police closing report after the death of a family member when law enforcement initiated an investigation.
  • Provide a clear, predictable timeframe for releasing the closing report to surviving immediate family members, aiding closure and accountability.

Key Provisions

  • New statutory provision added: A new section to Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 52D, governing requests for police reports by surviving immediate family members.

  • Who may request: A surviving immediate family member of a deceased person for whom law enforcement initiated an investigation. “Surviving immediate family member” includes a surviving grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse or reciprocal beneficiary, child, or legal guardian.

  • What is provided: The closing report (final or summary report prepared by the assigned police detective) of the investigation.

  • Timing for delivery (whichever occurs first):

    • Upon the conclusion of any criminal proceedings related to the incident, or
    • Five years after the closing report has been completed, or
    • Seven years after the underlying incident.

  • Interim reopenings: If the investigation has been reopened within six months before the request, the reporting obligation applies to the ongoing investigation; upon conclusion of the reopened investigation, the report must be provided without further delay.

  • Delivery method: The closing report shall be provided either electronically or in physical paper form, at the requester’s preference.

  • Redactions: Information pertaining to minors and confidential personal information shall be redacted before release.

  • Preservation of other rights: The law does not diminish any other rights to obtain copies of police reports or government records at other times.

  • Definitions:

    • “Closing report” means the final report or similar summary prepared by the investigating detective.
    • “Surviving immediate family member” defined as above.

  • Effective date: The Act takes effect upon approval by the Governor (April 10, 2025).

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary beneficiaries: Surviving immediate family members of deceased persons where there was an investigative police inquiry.
  • Law enforcement agencies: Required to provide closing reports within the specified timeframes and redacting sensitive information as described.
  • Government records access: Clarifies a specific pathway to obtain a police closing report, complementing existing public-record processes.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Enactment: SB112 SD2 (Act 017) signed into law on April 10, 2025.
  • Publication/Certification: Legislative actions indicate passage and enactment in early 2025; GM1117 serves as the formal proclamation confirming the law’s status.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon approval (April 10, 2025).

Notes

  • The Proclamation (GM1117) is for informational purposes to reflect the Governor’s signing of Act 017 and how it amends Chapter 52D to allow access to closing reports by eligible family members after specified timeframes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.