WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 169

RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 6 co-sponsors

Hawaii bill creates financial compensation and record expungement system for wrongfully convicted individuals deemed actually innocent through new evidence or court determination.

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 636) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
#civilremedies #compensation #redress #wrongfulconvictions
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 169

Legislative bill overview

SB 169 establishes a comprehensive redress mechanism for individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Hawaii, providing financial compensation, expungement of records, and other remedies. The bill creates a pathway for exonerees to receive restitution and restore their legal standing after exoneration through new evidence, DNA testing, or judicial determination of actual innocence.

Why is this important

Wrongfully convicted individuals face severe economic and social consequences—lost wages, damaged reputations, and barriers to employment—that persist even after exoneration. This bill addresses a gap in Hawaii law by providing a structured system for compensation and record clearing, potentially affecting dozens of individuals and establishing state liability standards for miscarriages of justice.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact and compensation limits: Determining appropriate compensation amounts without creating unlimited state liability exposure, particularly for extended imprisonment periods
  • Evidentiary standards for "actual innocence": Defining what level of evidence proves exoneration versus reasonable doubt, which affects eligibility and potential litigation costs
  • Administrative burden: Creating and funding a new state apparatus to adjudicate claims, investigate cases, and manage compensation while avoiding fraudulent or speculative claims

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

Sign in to ask a question.