HI HB2279

Codifies the Hawaii Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Barker v. Young that persons arrested or charged with a crime (felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor) but convicted only of a violation are eligible for arrest record expungement.

Amends Section 831-3.2 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to explicitly include "arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation" among those eligible to apply for expungement orders from the Attorney General.

Adds statutory definitions clarifying that "crime" means felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor, while "violation" is an offense that does not constitute a crime under Section 701-107.

Recognizes that arrest records can impede individuals' access to housing, employment, and other opportunities, making expungement appropriate when arrests result only in violation convictions rather than criminal convictions.