Thanks to the hard work and diligence of the AJS Ad Hoc Committee on Judicial Security and a team of stakeholders, Hawaii now has a stronger law to protect judges and their family members from threats, harassment, and violent behavior.
HB1916 HD1 SD1 CD1 successfully made its way through the gauntlet of legislative committee hearings this legislative session and has been signed by Gov. Josh Green. The AJS Ad Hoc Committee on Judicial Security doggedly monitored the progress of the bill throughout the legislative session that ended Friday, May 3, and is pleased with the outcome.
Past threats and assault cases have shown that perpetrators had access to personal information of judges or other public officials and, in some cases, have shown up at their front door. The bill prohibits protected personal information of certain public officials from being posted on the internet, where the information might be used to find and track public officials.
The bill offers protections to a broad swathe of public officials, including active, formerly active, and retired judges in federal and state courts, court administrators and deputies, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, department directors, and legislators. The bill also covers employees and volunteers of the Office of Elections, and others who may be designated by certain government leaders.
Modeled after laws passed in Congress and other states, the bill prohibits protected information such as a home address or photos of a home, phone numbers, vehicle and license plate numbers, names and schools of children attend, and other information from being posted on the internet, upon receiving a written request from the protected person.
It is important to note that this bill does not restrict public access to government records, nor does it prohibit a public official from posting or publishing their own personal information. If an individual violates this law, the protected person can seek relief in state court, including costs and attorney’s fees. For any violation by a government agency, the protected person can seek relief in state court, but no costs or fees.
Mahalo to all those who submitted testimony in support of this bill. We have cause to celebrate this bill being signed into law!