HI HB643

Creates new misdemeanor offense of harassment against an essential worker during a declared state of emergency, including striking, insulting, making threatening communications, or using offensive language toward such workers.

Defines "essential worker" as employees in air/ground transportation, construction, defense, law enforcement, energy, food and agriculture, grocery, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, telecommunications, retail, water sectors, plus any others designated essential by the governor or mayor.

Amends Chapter 127A definitions to explicitly include pandemics as a type of emergency and hazard under Hawaii's emergency management laws.

Expands "disaster relief" definition to include efforts to mitigate social and economic consequences of disasters, and adds personal protective equipment to the definition of materials.

Effective date July 1, 2050.