HI HB1758

Amends Hawaii's first-degree assault statute (§707-710) to impose strict liability regarding the victim's age when causing substantial bodily injury to persons 60 years or older, removing the requirement that the defendant knew or should have known the victim's age.

Amends second-degree assault statute (§707-711) similarly to remove the knowledge requirement about the victim's age for assaults causing bodily injury to persons 60 or older.

First-degree assault against elder victims (causing substantial bodily injury) remains a class B felony; second-degree assault (causing bodily injury) remains a class C felony.

The changes mean defendants can be convicted of the enhanced elder assault charges regardless of whether they were aware the victim was 60 or older at the time of the offense.