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Committee backs bill increasing penalties for assaults on protective service workers and discusses nonlegislative safety steps
Summary
Prosecutors, police and agency officials supported HB 10-98 to strengthen penalties for assaults on protective service workers; lawmakers questioned statutory language and asked DHS about immediate safety actions (panic buttons, apps, security upgrades).
The Senate Health and Human Services committee advanced HB 10-98, a bill that would create or strengthen criminal penalties for assaults against protected-service workers, after testimony from the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office, Honolulu Police Department and state agencies.
Daniel Hugo of the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office told the committee the office "is in strong support of this bill," arguing the measure provides a greater deterrent for assaults and threats against protective-service workers. Acting Captain Trent, speaking for the Honolulu Police Department, said the bill "appropriately provides an additional mechanism to protect our protective service workers" and urged support.
Discussion focused on statutory drafting and the definition of "substantial bodily injury," a threshold that determines felony-level offenses. The prosecutor’s office explained that "substantial bodily injury has a specific meaning" that covers major lacerations, broken bones and other enumerated injuries, and noted that injuries outside that list remain misdemeanors. Several senators questioned whether repeatedly adding protected classes is a reactive approach and whether a more proactive consolidation of protections might be preferable.
Lawmakers also pressed the Department of Human Services on immediate safety measures. Director Yamane described efforts underway including panic buttons in offices, mobile-app solutions for staff, upgrades to cameras and door locks, and additional training; she said some local funds may cover initial steps while broader statewide expansion would require budgetary support.
Decision making: the committee recommended passing HB 10-98 (HD1) with a different effective date (noted as 12/31/2050 in the committee report) and urged DHS to pursue nonlegislative safety enhancements.
Next steps: committee report to reflect the recommendation and the committee’s request that DHS pursue funding and implementation of safety measures.
