HI HB491

Establishes a five-year pilot project (2019) to strengthen state and county responses to domestic violence by amending penalties for abuse of family or household members under Hawaii Revised Statutes § 709-906.

Creates a new petty misdemeanor offense for intentionally or knowingly striking, shoving, kicking, or touching a family or household member in an offensive manner, with penalties per §§ 706-640 and 706-663.

Permits defendants charged with petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor abuse offenses to enter a deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest plea under § 853-4, with the deferral set aside if defendant fails to complete court-ordered domestic violence intervention programs or parenting classes within specified timeframes.

Requires courts to revoke probation or set aside deferred pleas and resentence defendants to maximum incarceration if they fail to complete ordered intervention programs or violate other sentencing conditions.

Mandates annual reporting to the legislature by police departments, prosecutors, and the judiciary on arrests, charges, and convictions related to domestic violence, including program completion rates and consequences for non-completion.