HB 1439 Summary

• Establishes a pre-litigation mediation pilot program effective November 1, 2023, extending the notice period for rental agreement termination from 5 business days to 10 calendar days.

• Requires landlords to provide tenants and mediation centers with a detailed 10-calendar-day notice containing landlord contact information, rent amount due, and specific warnings about mediation requirements and filing deadlines.

• Mandates landlords participate in mediation if tenants schedule it within 10 calendar days; extends the period before filing a summary possession action to 20 calendar days if mediation is scheduled.

• Appropriates unspecified funds to the judiciary for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to contract for free mediation services for residential landlord-tenant disputes.

• Establishes an emergency rent relief program administered by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to provide payments to mediation participants, with unspecified maximum amounts and appropriation levels; program repeals November 1, 2025.