HB2677

Report Title:

Marijuana; Law Enforcement

Description:

Directs state and county law enforcement officers to make investigation, citation, and arrest for private adult marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2677
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 52D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§52D- Enforcement of marijuana-related offenses. The chief of police shall establish a policy that sets private adult marijuana offenses as the lowest priority for investigation, citation, and arrest."

SECTION 2. Section 353C-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) The state law enforcement officers transferred from the department of the attorney general by Act 211, Session Laws of Hawaii 1989, shall be responsible for public safety in state buildings as well as the personal protection of government officials and employees while in the conduct of their duties. The duties of state law enforcement officers shall also include the service of process, including subpoenas, warrants, and other legal documents, and other duties as the director may assign, including the performance of duties of other public safety officers within the department[.]; provided that except for the offenses of distribution of marijuana to minors, distribution or consumption of marijuana in public places, or operating a motor vehicle, airplane, or watercraft investigation, citation, and arrest for private adult marijuana offenses shall be the lowest law enforcement priority. State law enforcement officers shall have all of the powers of police officers, including the power of arrest."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________