HI HCR217

Request that the Department of Law Enforcement establish a task force on ethical policing to evaluate Hawaii's Weed and Seed programs, which involve increased policing in high-crime communities.

Task force to comprise 12 members including representatives from the Attorney General, Public Defender, county Prosecuting Attorneys, Judiciary, Law Enforcement, Governor's office, legislative leaders, University of Hawaii criminal justice researcher, affected community organization, and public member.

Task force directed to analyze crime data, arrest rates, prosecution outcomes, and policing presence from program inception, with specific focus on disproportionate impact on communities of color, low-income persons, unsheltered persons, and average sentence lengths.

Task force to evaluate program effects on crime rates in designated areas, adjacent communities, resident perceptions of law enforcement encounters, and average number of officers deployed.

Task force required to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2025 Regular Session convenes.