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Bill

Bill

SB 861

RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Rhoads

SB 861 modifies Hawaii's expungement process to affect criminal record clearance eligibility and procedures, impacting individuals' access to employment and housing opportunities.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#attorneygeneral #expungementorders #hcjdc #judiciary
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Bill Summary · SB 861

Legislative bill overview

SB 861 relates to expungement procedures in Hawaii, though the specific provisions are not detailed in the available information. The bill has been referred to the Judiciary and Civil Matters Committee (JDC) for evaluation and is currently carried over to the 2026 legislative session.

Why is this important

Expungement laws directly affect individuals with criminal records by determining eligibility to clear or seal convictions from public records. Changes to expungement standards can impact employment, housing, and professional licensing opportunities for tens of thousands of people, while also raising questions about public safety transparency and judicial resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Eligibility scope: Whether expungement should apply broadly (all offenses) or be limited to certain crime categories, and what time periods must elapse
  • Public access vs. privacy: Balancing the rights of individuals to clear their records against government agencies', employers', and the public's access to criminal history information
  • Implementation costs: The fiscal burden on courts and law enforcement to process, manage, and redact expungement requests from existing records systems

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

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