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SB2479Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Criminal Procedure.

EngrossedHouse Human Services & Homelessness

Introduced by Mike Gabbard, District 21

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)

Where it stands

The committee(s) on HSH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

March 24, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · March 3, 2026

3

Yes

1

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Absent
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23No

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to HHS, JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

  6. The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha.

  7. Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2360) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

  9. The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  10. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

  11. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3081) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

  12. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.

  13. Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

  14. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 248) in amended form (SD 2).

  15. Pass First Reading

  16. Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 17

  17. Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 03-24-26 10:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  18. The committee(s) on HSH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

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