HI HB280

Permanently establishes the Community Outreach Court as a division of the District Court of the First Circuit to handle nonviolent, nonfelony cases where prosecutors and public defenders have reached plea agreements.

Court operates at community sites within the first judicial circuit and has concurrent jurisdiction with other district courts to hear nonviolent, nonfelony criminal and traffic offenses determined appropriate by the prosecuting attorney.

Public defender must engage a social service or health care professional to identify eligible defendants and coordinate alternative sentencing options including community service, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and other social services.

Repeals Act 55, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, which established the original community court outreach project that addressed over 10,000 cases, recalled 900 bench warrants, and lifted 7,000 driver license stoppers.

Appropriates $71,030 annually (FY 2025-2026 and FY 2026-2027) to Department of Law Enforcement for one deputy sheriff position, $45,000 to Office of Public Defender for one paralegal position, and $90,000 to City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney for one paralegal position.