HI HCR84

Establishes a working group to study, review, and revise the definition of murder in the first degree in Hawaii law.

Working group membership consists of 2 House members, 2 Senate members, 1 representative from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's office, 1 representative from the Attorney General's office, and 4 victim advocates (2 appointed by House Speaker, 2 by Senate President).

Group must hold at least 2 meetings before the 2016 regular legislative session and submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature and relevant judiciary committees no later than 20 days before the 2016 session convenes.

Current law does not automatically classify killing in an especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel manner as murder in the first degree, unlike several other states.

Working group ceases to exist on January 1, 2016.