Urging The Legislature To Advance Legislation And Support Policies That Safeguard Individuals In The Agricultural Community, Their Families, Their Livestock And Other Property, And Other Individuals Under Their Employment Or Care By Amending The State's Selfdefense Laws To Deprioritize The Duty To Retreat In Certain Circumstances.
Impact
If enacted, SCR91 would allow individuals in the agricultural sector the right to stand their ground and utilize deadly force for self-protection without the obligation to retreat, provided they are not engaging in criminal activity at the time. This change is positioned to deter violent trespassing and crimes on agricultural lands, thereby aiming to safeguard the lives of agricultural workers, their families, and their property. The proposal aligns with existing 'stand your ground' statutes adopted in other states and reflects historical elements rooted in Hawaii's legal framework, such as King Kamehameha I's Law of the Splintered Paddle.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution 91 (SCR91) is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing the legal protection of individuals within the agricultural community, particularly regarding self-defense laws. The bill arises in light of the tragic incident involving rancher Cranston Duke Pia, who was shot in a confrontation while defending his livestock. This event spotlighted the vulnerabilities and risks faced by agricultural workers, especially in isolated areas, and highlighted the perceived insufficiency of current self-defense protections under Hawaii state law. As such, the resolution calls for amending self-defense laws to deprioritize the duty to retreat in certain situations.
Contention
The resolution emphasizes the need for legislative action due to the unique challenges agricultural workers face, including the increasing risks associated with animal husbandry and property protection. Although the bill advocates for broader self-defense rights, it has generated discussion around the implications of such legal changes on community safety and the responsibilities of individuals in conflict scenarios. Critics may voice concerns regarding the potential for escalating violence or misinterpretation of self-defense rights, emphasizing the need for careful deliberation on how these laws are enforced and understood.
Same As
Urging The Legislature To Advance Legislation And Support Policies That Safeguard Individuals In The Agricultural Community, Their Families, Their Livestock And Other Property, And Other Individuals Under Their Employment Or Care By Amending The State's Selfdefense Laws To Deprioritize The Duty To Retreat In Certain Circumstances.
Urging Pertinent State Agencies To Commit To Providing Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, And Programs For Native Hawaiian Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And Their Families And Care Providers.
Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.
Urging State Departments To Require Households Impacted By The Lahaina Fires To Exhaust Their Insurance Policies Before Requesting Financial Support From The State.
Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Study Providing Certain Health Insurance Coverage For All Children And Pregnant Persons Who Would Otherwise Qualify For Coverage If Not For Their Immigration Status.
Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.
Urging The Department Of The Attorney General To Reconvene The Marijuana Evaluation Task Force Established By Act 273, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2019, To Examine Other States' Laws, Penalties, And Outcomes Pertaining To Marijuana Use Other Than For Medical Purposes; Make Recommendations On Amending Marijuana Use Penalties And Outcomes In The State; And Submit A Report To The Legislature Before The Convening Of The Regular Session Of 2024.
Urging The Establishment Of A Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group To Discuss Policies And Legislation With Respect To Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property.