HI HB796

Amends HRS Section 353C-8.5 to require the Department of Public Safety director to report deaths of correctional facility and community correctional center employees and Hawaii inmates to the governor and legislature within 48 hours.

Expands reporting requirements to include the race of the decedent as a required data point in death reports.

Requires the director to cite any state or federal law relied upon to withhold disclosure of information, eliminating discretionary withholding of the decedent's name or other information unless protected by law.

Mandates the director make a copy of the death report public and readily available first to designated family members and then to the press upon receipt of the medical examiner's report, with limited exceptions for ongoing criminal investigations and information required to remain confidential.

Defines "family member" to include spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, and blood relatives including children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and their respective spouses or reciprocal beneficiaries.