HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2101
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to minors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there are fundamental differences between minor and adult criminal offenders that are critical to consider during sentencing. Consideration of these differences becomes especially important when the minors are tried and convicted as adults. In 2012, the Supreme Court noted that advances in psychology and neurology continue to show developmental differences in parts of minors' brains that are responsible for impulsiveness and behavior control. Studies have shown that minors can be more vulnerable to negative influences and to pressure from their peers, family members, or others. Most minors also have limited control over their environment and may be unable to extricate themselves from horrific settings and life circumstances that tend to lead to crime.

The legislature recognizes that lawmakers in other states are increasingly acknowledging these differences, granting judges greater discretion when sentencing minors. Many states now allow judges to depart from mandatory minimum sentences in appropriate cases.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require circuit courts to apply special sentencing considerations when sentencing a minor for a non-violent offense and to allow the courts, in their discretion, to impose a sentence up to fifty per cent shorter than the mandatory minimum or to decline to impose a mandatory enhanced sentence in certain circumstances.

SECTION 2. Chapter 706, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§706- Special sentencing considerations for minors. (1) In a case in which the family court has waived jurisdiction over a minor pursuant to section 571-22 and the minor is convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense in circuit court, the circuit court shall consider, in addition to any other factors that the court is required to consider, the psychological and developmental differences between minor and adult offenders, including the minor's vulnerability, impulsiveness, susceptibility to suggestion, and diminished culpability.

(2) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, after considering the factors set forth in subsection (1) and the factors identified in the pre-sentence diagnosis and report prepared pursuant to section 706-601, the circuit court may, in its discretion:

(a) Impose a sentence that includes a period of incarceration that is shorter than any mandatory minimum sentence otherwise required by law; provided that the period of incarceration shall not be shorter than half of the mandatory minimum sentence otherwise required by law; and

(b) Decline to impose a mandatory sentencing enhancement otherwise required by law when imposing a sentence that includes a period of incarceration of five years or more."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Minors; Circuit Courts; Criminal Proceedings; Sentencing; Non-Violent Offenses

Description:

Requires circuit courts to apply special sentencing considerations when sentencing a minor for a non-violent offense. Allows the courts, in their discretion, to impose a sentence up to 50% shorter than the mandatory minimum or to decline to impose a mandatory enhanced sentence in certain circumstances.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.