Hawaii House Bill HR186

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Office Of The Administrative Director Of The Courts To Collect, Compile, And Share Data On The Assessment Of Fees, Court Costs, Fines, And Restitution In Cases Against Minors.

Impact

If enacted, HR186 aims to provide a clearer picture of how much these fines and fees represent over time and their impact on youth involved in the judicial system. The resolution calls for a detailed report on the total and average amounts of these financial penalties for minors over the past five years. This data is expected to offer insights into whether current practices disproportionately affect specific demographics and if they lead to economic hardships for families, thus potentially preventing their rehabilitation and contributing to a cycle of poverty and crime.

Summary

House Resolution 186 (HR186) requests that the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts in Hawaii collect, compile, and share data regarding the assessment of fees, court costs, fines, and restitution in cases against minors. The resolution highlights the growing recognition that such financial penalties can be detrimental to young individuals and their families, particularly among marginalized groups like Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Black youth. It emphasizes that these fees and costs serve no clear public safety purpose and may even contribute to higher rates of recidivism among young offenders.

Contention

The focus on data collection may spark discussions about the broader implications of juvenile justice reform and help shape future policies regarding youth penalties. While supporters believe this initiative could facilitate a better understanding of the financial burdens imposed on young people, opponents may argue that it does not directly address the underlying issues of youth crime or the legal framework that allows such fees to be imposed in the first place. Critics could contend that mere data collection does not equate to actionable reform or relief for affected youth, especially those who are economically disadvantaged.