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Committee moves to let community service replace youth fines and fees, expands scope beyond traffic offenses
Summary
The committee endorsed amending SB1028 SD1 to make community service the substitute for youth fines and fees (beyond traffic offenses), and to include debt‑discharge provisions from a House bill; advocates and civil‑rights groups told lawmakers fines and fees harm families and increase recidivism.
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness voted to pass SB1028 SD1 with substantial amendments on March 11, 2025, making community service the primary alternative to fines and fees for youth and expanding the bill’s scope beyond traffic violations.
Advocacy groups including Debt Free Justice Hawaii and the ACLU of Hawaii urged the Legislature to end or reduce court‑ordered fines and fees for minors. Cameron Clark of Debt Free Justice noted research showing fines and fees do not improve public safety and can increase recidivism; the group asked the committee to incorporate language from House Bill 129 to discharge outstanding debt by youth and families.
The Office of the Attorney General provided technical comments on bill titles. Judith Clark of Hawaii Youth Services Network emphasized the disproportionate financial burden on families, noting that fines often divert money from rent, food, and utilities and that community service better allows youth to experience restitution and gain constructive engagement.
The chair recommended restoring language from HB129 HD2 to make community service the only option (rather than an alternative) and broaden the bill beyond vehicle offenses to many youth fees, including citations related to vandalism, detention support, drug testing and similar charges. The committee passed the measure with the chair’s proposed amendments.
