HI HR82

Requests formation of a task force to study and recommend policies and procedures to improve eyewitness identification accuracy in criminal investigations.

Task force membership includes the Attorney General, Public Defender, all four county Chiefs of Police, all four county prosecutors, CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Innocence Project representative, two social science experts appointed by legislative leadership, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

Mistaken eyewitness identification has contributed to approximately 75 percent of the nation's exonerations, and scientific research shows systemic changes to identification procedures can significantly improve accuracy.

Task force must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2014 Regular Session convenes.

Task force ceases to exist on June 30, 2014.