HB 566 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 709-906 to add "exercise coercive control" as a petty misdemeanor offense in cases of abuse of family or household members, as defined in section 586-1.

• Expands the definition of prohibited conduct to include striking, shoving, kicking, offensive physical contact, or coercive control directed at family or household members.

• Maintains existing sentencing provisions under sections 706-640 and 706-663, with court authority to order immediate incarceration for the mandatory minimum sentence.

• Sunset provision: Section 1 repeals on June 30, 2026, with section 709-906 reverting to its December 31, 2020 form.

• This pilot program addition strengthens state and county responses to domestic violence and increases accountability for violators.