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SB 2567

RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

Hawaii bill creates civil court process allowing employees to obtain restraining orders and injunctions against workplace harassment, bypassing traditional employer complaint procedures.

Act 111, 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1211).
#harassment #injunctions #judiciarypackage #publicemployers #publicservants #temporaryrestrainingorders #pilotproject
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Bill Summary · SB 2567

Legislative bill overview

SB 2567 establishes a legal mechanism allowing employees to petition courts for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against workplace harassment. The bill creates a civil remedy that would enable workers to seek court intervention when experiencing harassment from colleagues, supervisors, or others in the employment context.

Why is this important

Workplace harassment affects employee safety, productivity, and retention. Currently, victims typically rely on employer complaint procedures or administrative remedies, which may be slow or ineffective. This bill would provide a direct judicial avenue for immediate court-ordered relief, potentially offering faster protection than internal processes.

Potential points of contention

  • Burden on courts: Defines what constitutes "harassment" eligible for restraining orders; overly broad definitions could flood courts with petitions, while narrow ones may exclude genuine cases
  • Employer liability and process: Unclear whether employers face liability for employee-on-employee harassment or if the bill affects existing HR compliance obligations and anti-harassment policies
  • Due process concerns: Fast-track temporary restraining orders require minimal evidence; respondents may face restrictions before fully responding, raising fairness questions about burden of proof standards

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

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