HI HB634

Establishes a five-year pilot program within the judiciary allowing defendants in criminal cases and their victims to participate in restorative justice processes.

Excludes defendants charged with class A or B felonies or violent crimes (as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes section 351-32) from program eligibility.

Courts must inform eligible defendants of their right to request restorative justice during pretrial conferences, with participation requiring court approval and victim agreement.

Permits courts to dismiss charged offenses upon successful completion of restorative justice, victim approval, and prosecuting attorney approval.

Requires the judiciary to submit interim reports to the legislature prior to 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 regular sessions, and a final report by 2024 with recommendations on whether to make the program permanent; appropriates funds for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.