HI HB796

Requires the director of public safety to report to the governor within 48 hours of any death of a correctional facility or community correctional center employee or Hawaii inmate, and the governor shall report to the legislature.

Adds the race of the decedent as a required element in death reports, along with existing requirements for name, gender, age, location, date/time, cause of death, and indication of sexual assault.

Requires the director to cite any state or federal law relied upon to withhold disclosure of the decedent's name or other information, establishing that disclosure cannot be withheld unless protected by law.

Mandates the director make a copy of the report public and readily available to the designated family member first, then to the press, upon receipt of the medical examiner's report, with exceptions for ongoing criminal investigations and information that must remain confidential to avoid frustration of legitimate government functions.

Defines "family member" to include spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and their respective spouses or reciprocal beneficiaries; effective July 1, 3050.