Transparency within government operations in Hawaii just took several steps forward, thanks to Governor Josh Green. last Friday, the Office of Information Practices announced Green's endorsement and immediate enactment of new legislation focusing on the Sunshine Law and police report accessibility for families of the deceased.
Act 169, referenced by OIP, revamps guidelines on how soon board packets should be provided before meetings. Now, these documents must be released a minimum of three full business days ahead of the related gathering. For example, if an office closes at 4:30 p.m., the packet is due by 10:30 a.m. on that Monday for a Thursday meeting.
According to the State of the legislation also boosts community engagement by adding "community outreach boards" under Act 53. These entities, now with certain Sunshine Law exemptions, can act as conduits for community sentiment, providing valuable local insights similar to their neighborhood board counterparts. Another noteworthy change, Act 72, allows discussion of issues not originally listed on a meeting's agenda if raised in public testimony or a government official's third-party report, though any subsequent action is reserved for a later meeting where the issue is properly slated on the agenda.
Significant for families seeking closure is Act 017. It ensures that immediate relatives can acquire the closing police report tied to a deceased family member's case, subject to certain time frames and conditions. In instances where law enforcement has wrapped up an investigation, the report becomes accessible after the conclusion of criminal proceedings, five years after its completion, or seven years post-incident, whichever happens first—unless probing into the matter was reignited six months before the request. According to the Office of Information Practices, to protect privacy, the information concerning minors and confidential personal data within these reports is redacted.
