HI SR51

Requests the formation of a task force to study and recommend policies and procedures to improve the accuracy of eyewitness identifications in Hawaii.

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, a representative from the Hawaii Innocence Project, two social science experts (appointed by Senate President and House Speaker), and the Executive Director of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

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

Task force ceases to exist on June 30, 2014.

Cites research showing mistaken eyewitness identification contributed to approximately 75 percent of exonerations nationwide, and notes that best practices from the U.S. National Institute of Justice and other organizations are available for implementation.