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Bill

HB 186

RELATING TO HARASSMENT BY STALKING.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Darius Kila and 4 co-sponsors

HB 186 modifies Hawaii stalking harassment laws, deferred by judiciary committee and carried to 2026 session pending further review and potential amendment.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#harassmentbystalking #penalcode
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Bill Summary · HB 186

Legislative bill overview

HB 186 modifies Hawaii's stalking harassment laws, though the specific amendments are not detailed in the provided action history. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA) committee, which recommended deferral in February. The measure was carried over to the 2026 regular session without passage.

Why is this important

Stalking laws directly affect public safety and the ability of individuals to seek legal protection from threatening or harassing behavior. Changes to these statutes can expand or restrict what behaviors constitute criminal stalking, alter penalties, or modify victim protections—impacting both law enforcement enforcement practices and survivors' access to remedies.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of prohibited conduct: Disagreement over which behaviors (e.g., online contact, surveillance, repeated communication) should constitute stalking versus protected speech or innocent actions
  • Penalty structure: Questions about whether proposed penalties are proportionate and whether enhancements for certain circumstances (repeat offenses, domestic context) are appropriate
  • Evidentiary standards: Debate over how much evidence of intent or awareness of causing fear should be required to prove stalking charges

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

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