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HB 151

RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Della Belatti and 7 co-sponsors

HB 151 establishes Hawaii's compensation framework for wrongfully convicted individuals, providing state redress for exonerees following overturned convictions and imprisonment.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#civilremedies #compensation #redress #wrongfulconvictions
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Bill Summary · HB 151

Legislative bill overview

HB 151 establishes a legal framework and compensation mechanism for individuals who have been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned in Hawaii. The bill creates procedures for exonerees to seek redress, including financial compensation and other remedies, from the state for time served and damages suffered due to erroneous convictions.

Why is this important

Wrongful convictions represent a fundamental failure of the criminal justice system, resulting in loss of liberty, economic hardship, and lasting psychological trauma for the innocent. Hawaii currently lacks a comprehensive statutory mechanism to compensate exonerees, leaving wrongfully convicted individuals with limited legal recourse and no guaranteed state remedy, unlike many other states that have enacted similar laws.

Potential points of contention

  • Compensation amount and criteria: Disputes may arise over how much compensation per year of wrongful imprisonment is appropriate, what additional damages qualify (lost wages, psychological injury), and whether caps should be placed on total awards
  • Eligibility standards: Debate over evidentiary requirements for proving wrongful conviction, timeline limitations for filing claims, and whether the standard should be actual innocence versus merely overturned convictions
  • Fiscal impact: Concerns about state budget implications and the number of potential claimants, especially if Hawaii has pending cases or a backlog of potential exonerees who could file claims
  • Procedural mechanisms: Questions about whether claims go through the courts, an administrative board, or a specialized commission, and how quickly cases would be resolved

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

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