# Hawaii SB 2540: RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.

Hawaii SB 2540, RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-18 (Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2353) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2540-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 2540
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-23
- Last action: 2026-02-18, Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2353) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Juvenile Justice, Minors, Fees, Fines, Court Costs, Penalties, Prohibited, Community Service, HHS, JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (5 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Encourages the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. Effective 7/1/2027. (SD1)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |

## Actions (8)

- 2026-02-18: Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2353) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: The committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-13-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-01-28: Referred to HHS, JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2026-01-23: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_SD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_.PDF)
- SB2540_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_SD1_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_SD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_.PDF)
- [SB2540_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2540_SD1_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2031-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2540-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).