HB 103 Summary

• Prohibits sentencing defendants who were under age 21 at the time of the offense to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, based on neuroscience research showing brain maturation continues into the mid-twenties.

• Raises the age threshold for mandatory life without parole sentences from 18 to 21 years old for first-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder convictions.

• Requires defendants under age 21 convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree attempted murder to be sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole instead.

• Updates sentencing criteria throughout Chapter 706 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to change all references from age 18 to age 21 for enhanced sentences, extended terms of imprisonment, and other sentencing enhancements.

• Effective upon approval.