Hawaii Governor Signs Bill to Create Expungement Task Force
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, has enacted a bill to form the Clean Slate Expungement Task Force, aimed at developing legislation to expunge certain criminal records, including past cannabis-related arrests and convictions.
Formation of the Task Force
Governor Green signed the bill just before the deadline for measures passed in the current legislative session. Sponsored by Rep. David Tarnas, the bill does not explicitly mention cannabis but is expected to address cannabis offenses. Tarnas emphasized the importance of making the expungement process more accessible, noting that many eligible individuals struggle to clear their records.
Task Force Composition and Objectives
The task force will include state officials and representatives from advocacy groups like the ACLU, Last Prisoner Project, and Hawaii Innocence Project. Carrie Ann Shirota of ACLU Hawaii highlighted the potential benefits of expungement for employment and economic stability. The task force aims to create a comprehensive framework for clemency efforts, including pardons and record sealing.
Reporting and Legislative Timeline
Interim reports with proposed legislation are due before the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, with a final report due before the 2027 session. Advocates, including Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii’s Nikos Leverenz, praised the initiative but stressed the need for broader reforms, including the decriminalization of drug possession and addressing the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians.
Additional Initiatives and Future Outlook
Governor Green also signed a separate bill creating a pilot program in Hawaii County to expunge certain non-conviction marijuana records. Despite setbacks in broader legalization efforts, Green remains supportive of expanding medical cannabis access and full recreational legalization for responsible adults.
In conclusion, the formation of the Clean Slate Expungement Task Force marks a significant step towards addressing past cannabis-related offenses and other criminal records in Hawaii. The collaborative effort between state officials and advocacy groups aims to create a more accessible and comprehensive expungement process, while also highlighting the need for further reforms in drug policy.
