HB2596 Summary

• Establishes statewide motor vehicle pursuit policies for law enforcement officers in Hawaii, including requirements for authorized emergency vehicles equipped with operable blue lights and sirens.

• Requires officers initiating pursuits to use visual and auditory signals, immediately notify a dispatcher, and provide continuous updates on pursuit details including vehicle speeds, weather conditions, traffic volume, vehicle descriptions, and occupant information.

• Limits pursuits to no more than two police vehicles at a time unless the pursuit supervisor authorizes additional vehicles for safety reasons, and prohibits officers from pulling alongside, passing, or ramming pursued vehicles.

• Mandates pursuit termination when risk becomes unreasonable relative to the offense, the suspect is sufficiently identified for later apprehension, or the pursued vehicle's whereabouts are no longer certain.

• Requires all pursuit participants to submit detailed reports within one day to their commanders, who must compile and submit them to the professional standards office within five days for review by newly established pursuit review boards.