RELATING TO THE WOMEN'S COURT.
SB526 establishes a three-year Women’s Court pilot program in the second, third, and fifth judicial circuits of Hawaii. The bill is modeled on the existing first-circuit Mohala Wahine program and is intended to serve women involved in the court system who are non-violent or otherwise appropriate for a therapeutic, service-oriented intervention. The program would use trauma-informed, evidence-based, and gender-responsive practices to help participants avoid incarceration, stabilize in the community, and reduce recidivism.
The bill specifies a broad set of services the pilot may provide, including mental health and trauma treatment, family and parenting support, life-skills training, education and vocational services, domestic violence prevention, medical and health education, substance use screening and treatment, mentoring, and housing support. It also requires the judiciary to report annually on participation, outcomes, and whether the pilot should continue, expand, add services, or end. The measure includes an appropriation from general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 and authorizes temporary staffing and equipment to operate the program.
SB526 would create a new temporary program within the judiciary and direct state funds to support it, including temporary social worker, clerk, and judicial clerk positions. It would not broadly alter criminal statutes, but it would change how certain women are handled in the court system in the second, third, and fifth circuits by offering a specialized diversion and treatment pathway. The bill also imposes reporting requirements on the judiciary and sets a sunset date of June 30, 2028, making the pilot time-limited and subject to later legislative review.
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the measure with amendments by a 5-0 vote, indicating unanimous support among those voting at that stage. The bill then advanced to Ways and Means, reflecting continued interest in funding and implementing the pilot program. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so the record here shows support through the vote and procedural progression rather than detailed debate.
The main practical issues likely concern funding, staffing, and whether the pilot can be implemented effectively across multiple circuits. Because the bill appropriates general funds and creates temporary positions, fiscal oversight and resource allocation are central considerations for the Ways and Means Committee. Another likely point of discussion is program scope: the bill targets women with complex needs and emphasizes diversion and treatment, which may raise questions about eligibility, capacity, and whether the model should be expanded beyond the pilot if results are positive. The reporting requirements are designed to address those concerns by measuring participation, completion, removals, and unmet demand.