HI SB955

Expands the types of professionals eligible to conduct fitness-to-proceed examinations to include advanced practice registered nurses specializing in psychiatry, in addition to psychiatrists and licensed psychologists

Reduces the number of qualified examiners required for fitness-to-proceed examinations in felony cases from three to one, while also requiring a report from the treating clinician

Requires status hearings at 14 days and 30 days after a defendant is committed to a hospital or facility for examination, with weekly status hearings mandated at Hawaii State Hospital

Expands expedited court-based examiner procedures from petty misdemeanor cases to all crimes not involving violence or attempted violence

Reduces the penalty for escape in the second degree from a class C felony to a petty misdemeanor for persons escaping from Department of Health custody while awaiting fitness examination, unless they commit a new felony during the escape

Takes effect July 1, 3000, with fitness-to-proceed amendments sunsetting on December 31, 2026