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HR 51

REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY HOW EFFECTIVE EXISTING LAWS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS, PROTECTIVE ORDERS, AND HARASSMENT BY STALKING ARE IN PREVENTING CONTINUED ABUSE AND HARASSMENT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rachele Lamosao

Hawaii requests its judiciary establish a working group to study whether domestic violence restraining orders, protective orders, and stalking laws effectively prevent continued abuse.

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1848) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.
#effectiveness #harassmentbystalkinglaws #judiciary #study #trolaws
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Bill Summary · HR 51

Legislative bill overview

HR 51 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's judiciary to establish a working group that will study the effectiveness of existing domestic violence laws—specifically temporary restraining orders, protective orders, and stalking harassment statutes—in preventing ongoing abuse and harassment. The working group would assess whether current legal tools are achieving their intended protective goals.

Why is this important

Domestic violence is a serious public safety issue affecting thousands of Hawaii residents annually. This study could identify gaps in existing protective mechanisms and inform future legislative improvements to better protect victims and enhance law enforcement response.

Potential points of contention

  • Resource allocation: Establishing and conducting a working group requires judiciary resources; critics may question whether this study funding could be better used for direct victim services or enforcement
  • Scope and timeline: The resolution doesn't specify the working group's timeline or whether its findings will result in actionable recommendations, raising concerns about whether this becomes a symbolic gesture rather than substantive reform
  • Existing data availability: Questions may arise about whether sufficient data already exists on TRO/protective order effectiveness, potentially making a new study redundant rather than innovative

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

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