HI SB2479

Defendants convicted of chapter 707 felonies may present evidence at sentencing that family violence, dating violence, or child abuse was a significant contributing factor to their offense, with expanded admissible evidence including hearsay, expert testimony, and prior statements.

Courts finding by preponderance of evidence that abuse was a significant contributing factor must impose reduced sentences: life-eligible crimes receive 10-30 years indeterminate instead of life, and other felonies receive up to half the maximum sentence.

Defendants claiming self-defense in felony cases may introduce evidence of prior family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim, subject to Hawaii Rules of Evidence standards.

The bill updates gendered language in self-defense statutes (sections 703-304 and 703-305) to gender-neutral terms such as "the actor," "they," and "themself."

Sentencing provisions for first and second degree murder are amended to reference the new abuse-related sentencing procedures as exceptions to standard life imprisonment terms.