H.B. 1790 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 703-304 to establish a "stand your ground" provision for self-defense cases involving deadly force.

• Clarifies that persons using deadly force to protect against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, rape, or forcible sodomy have no duty to retreat if they are not engaged in criminal activity and have a right to be in that location.

• Removes the prior requirement that individuals must retreat when they can do so with complete safety, except for law enforcement and persons assisting in lawful arrests.

• Updates gender-specific language throughout the statute to use gender-neutral terms such as "the actor" and "the person" instead of "himself" or "he."

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, duties, or proceedings that began before its effective date.