STAND. COM. REP. NO. 892

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1098

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1098, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Specify that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker who is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties is a class C felony; and

(2) Clarify that a protective services worker is a public servant for the purposes of terroristic threatening in the first degree.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Honolulu Police Department; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the role protective services workers play in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect is vital. However, these workers frequently encounter threats, harassment, and even physical violence, which can compromise their safety and ability to perform their duties effectively. By strengthening the legal protections for protective services personnel against violence, this measure ensures that critical protective services remain effective and accessible across the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1098, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair