S.B. 116 Summary

• Creates civil liability for any person who knowingly causes a law enforcement officer to contact another person based on that person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity with discriminatory intent.

• Allows injured persons to bring civil actions for injunctive relief, damages (including punitive damages), and other appropriate relief, with minimum damages of $1,000 plus attorneys' fees and costs if judgment is for the plaintiff.

• Requires the Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, to provide public guidance on civil liability and remedies for discriminatory reporting to law enforcement.

• Adds "place of birth" as a protected class in Hawaii's discrimination law under Chapter 368.

• Effective September 1, 2025.