Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB2716

Introduced
1/24/24  
Refer
1/26/24  
Introduced
1/24/24  

Caption

Relating To Criminal Homicide.

Impact

The introduction of the involuntary manslaughter statute is intended to clarify and differentiate between various forms of homicide in Hawaii law. Moreover, the bill proposes to reclassify the existing manslaughter offense to 'voluntary manslaughter.' This realignment seeks to enhance the legal framework governing homicide cases by delineating actions that are considered negligent versus those that are considered reckless. By doing so, the bill aims to improve the justice system's ability to address and prosecute homicide cases more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 2716 seeks to amend the existing provisions under the Hawaii Penal Code regarding criminal homicide by establishing a new offense termed 'involuntary manslaughter.' This bill specifies that a person commits this offense if they negligently cause the death of another individual while violating particular statutes. Involuntary manslaughter would be classified as a class C felony, thus imposing significant legal consequences for such acts. This addition aims to provide clearer legal parameters around incidents resulting in death due to negligence.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding this bill may arise from differing perspectives on how negligence versus recklessness should be defined within the law. Advocates for the bill may argue that the new classifications will lead to better accountability for negligent actions that result in death. However, opponents might express concerns about the implications this could have on individuals who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances leading to unintended deaths. The direct impact on defendants' rights and the potential for increased convictions may also generate debate among legislative members.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

CA SB1350

Controlled substances: homicide resulting from the illegal furnishing of a controlled substance.

NM HB278

Voluntary Manslaughter Exclusions

NM SB363

Voluntary Manslaughter Exclusions

IN HB1379

Unborn children.

IN HB1334

Unborn children.

VA SB746

Involuntary manslaughter; certain drug offenses.

VA HB2657

Involuntary manslaughter; certain drug offenses.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.