Gov. Green signs justice reform bills supporting courts, rehabilitation efforts

Gov. Josh Green signed three bills into law Thursday that expand funding for Hawai‘i’s court system and bolster rehabilitation and recidivism prevention efforts, particularly for women and nonviolent offenders.

The new laws include the state Judiciary’s biennium budget, which appropriates $214 million for fiscal year 2026 and $212 million for fiscal year 2027. Additional measures support initiatives aimed at bridging gaps in the justice system, particularly for nonviolent offenders who are disproportionately affected and face a higher risk of recidivism due to their circumstances.

“This is a proud moment,” Green said in a statement. “Signing these bills demonstrates the power of collaboration between all branches of government to advance legislation that strengthens Hawai‘i’s judiciary and benefits the people we serve. We are not only facilitating change — we are doing so through a restorative approach that addresses the root causes of recidivism.”

HB 400: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY
House Bill 400, Act 227, appropriates $214 million for fiscal year 2026 and $212 million for fiscal year 2027 for the Judiciary’s operating budget. The funds established in this bill will support operating costs and new permanent staff positions, including an additional District Court Judge and support staff in Kona. The bill also funds the permanent establishment of three specialty courts on O‘ahu: Women’s Court, Driving While Impaired Court and Truancy Court and Early Education Intervention Court, as well as essential support for cybersecurity and technology costs across the judiciary.
 
Additional funds are appropriated in the budget for the planning and design of a new South Kohala District Courthouse to improve access to judicial services for residents on the Hawaiʻi island.
 
By signing this measure, Green says that residents across the island chain continue to have access to essential judicial services that grow in step with the evolving needs of the judicial system.
 
HB 727: RELATING TO THE WOMEN’S COURT
In response to the increasing number of women in the criminal justice system, a need arose to assist nonviolent women in the criminal justice system by providing resources and guidance to those who have suffered abuse, trauma, poverty, substance-use disorders and mental illness. From Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2022, Act 243 established Mohala Wahine, a three-year pilot program that offers women at high risk of recidivism access to critical resources such as substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and therapy, while helping nurture and educate participants throughout the program.
 
HB 727, now Act 228, makes the Mohala Wahine pilot program permanent in the First Circuit Court of O‘ahu, continuing its invaluable work supporting the most vulnerable women. To further expand access to trauma-informed, evidence-based practices, HB 727 additionally establishes a two-year Women’s Court pilot program in the Third Circuit Court in Kona. This new program addresses a critical need for community-based services on Hawai‘i Island and offers the same supportive services established under Mohala Wahine. This measure appropriates $514,900 for fiscal year 2026 and $557,000 for fiscal year 2027.
 
“HB727, championed by the Women’s Legislative Caucus, seeks to permanently establish the Mohala Wahine program in the First Circuit as a proven alternative to incarceration and a pathway to reintegration for women,” said Rep. Mahina Poepoe, introducer of the bill and vice chair of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee. “I believe that all women who find themselves in a position of being involved with our court system for nonviolent offenses could benefit from having the option of a pathway that avoids incarceration. Many of these women are mothers and caregivers  and with personalized, supportive care focused on healing rather than punishment, we can help them rehabilitate. Expanding this program to Hawaiʻi Island will strengthen families and communities across our state.”
 
The complete list of bills signed includes the following: 

• HB280 HD3 SD1 CD1 RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COURT – Act 229
• HB398 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED REPRESENTATION – Act 230
• HB399 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES – Act 231
• HB401 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES – Act 232
• SB304 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY – Act 233

“These justice reform bills strengthen the support systems that help people avoid legal trouble in the future and make the community safer,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads (District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown and Downtown). “By expanding key programs like the Adult Client Services Branch, Community Outreach Court and Women’s Court, we are building a more effective justice system that helps keep our communities in Hawai‘i safer and stronger.”