HB 1085 Summary

• Establishes bestiality as a separate criminal offense in Hawaii Chapter 711, prohibiting sexual contact with animals and related conduct such as organizing animal sexual abuse, distributing pornographic material depicting animal abuse, and subjecting animals to sexual contact in the presence of a minor.

• Classifies bestiality as a Class C felony, or a Class B felony if the offense involves a minor subjected to sexual contact with an animal or is committed in the presence of a minor.

• Exempts veterinary medicine, artificial insemination for procreation, animal husbandry, conformation judging, and customary animal care from the prohibition.

• Requires convicted persons to surrender animals, reimburse animal care costs, attend treatment programs, make restitution to animal owners, and prohibits them from owning animals or working with animals for a minimum of five years after release from supervision.

• Applies search, impound, and forfeiture provisions under existing animal cruelty statutes and does not preclude prosecution under other laws.