S.B. 2693 Summary

• Creates new offense of "charitable fraud during a state of emergency" in Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, applicable when governor declares state of emergency under section 127A-14(a)

• Prohibits intentional, knowing, or reckless deceptive acts in soliciting contributions for disaster relief, including using false pretenses, misrepresenting intended uses of funds, or using contributions contrary to represented purposes

• Establishes three penalty tiers based on contribution value: Class B felony for $20,000 or more, Class C felony for more than $750 to less than $20,000, and misdemeanor for $750 or less

• Defines "contribution" broadly to include money, credit/debit card transactions, online payments, goods, services, and anything else of value, tangible or intangible

• Defines "solicitation" extensively to cover oral, written, electronic communications, media announcements, publications, merchandise sales, and collection receptacles that appeal for disaster relief or charitable assistance