HB 799 Summary

• Establishes expedited criminal proceedings for cases involving minor victims or witnesses of physical abuse, allowing courts to prioritize dockets and requiring consideration of the child's age when deciding continuances.

• Permits courts to impose sanctions against defense attorneys unprepared to commence trial unless good cause is shown.

• Adds residency restriction requirement for persons convicted under chapter 846E (sex offenders and offenders against minors) to reside no less than 500 feet from schools, child care facilities, playgrounds, or parks as a probation condition.

• Amends Hawaii Rules of Evidence Rule 616 to expand video testimony options for children under 18 to include video-conferencing technology in addition to closed-circuit television, when in-person testimony would cause serious emotional distress.

• Effective upon approval with no retroactive application to rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed before the effective date.