Bill Text: HI SB397 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 397 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Offenses Against Public Health and Morals; Nuisance Abatement; Gambling

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-01-22 - Referred to JDL. [SB397 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-SB397-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	397
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to gambling.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 181, Session Laws of Hawaii 1979, established part V of chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to authorize civil lawsuits to abate criminal offenses against public health and morals relating to prostitution or the display of indecent matter. The scope of the nuisance abatement laws were later expanded by Act 158, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, to include offenses relating to the illegal manufacture or distribution of drugs. Certain fireworks offenses were subsequently added to the nuisance abatement laws by Act 136, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010.

As a result of the foregoing statutory amendments, the nuisance abatement laws currently cover every category of offenses against public health and morals under chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, except the gambling offenses under part III of that chapter. The legislature finds that there is no compelling reason to exclude illegal gambling from the nuisance abatement laws. The consequences of illegal gambling, including the subversion of public order and morals, community disruption, and injury or annoyance to citizens in the enjoyment of their property or legal rights, make these activities appropriate subjects of nuisance abatement. Moreover, the addition of gambling offenses to the nuisance abatement laws would provide law enforcement with the option to pursue civil remedies as a complement to the existing prohibitions found in part III of chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The purpose of this Act is to enhance the enforcement of gambling prohibitions by including these offenses in the nuisance abatement laws.

SECTION 2. Section 712-1270, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§712-1270 Places used to commit offenses against public health and morals, a nuisance. Every building, premises, or place used for the purpose of violating:

(1) Those laws pertaining to offenses against public health and morals contained in [~~parts I, II, and IV of~~] this chapter, except offenses under part IV which do not involve the manufacture or distribution of drugs; or

(2) Section 132D-14(a)(1) or (3),

and every building, premises, or place in or upon which [~~the~~] violations of any of the laws set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) are held or occur [~~in parts I, II, and IV, or section 132D-14(a)(1) or (3)~~], is a nuisance that shall be enjoined, abated, and prevented, regardless of whether it is a public or private nuisance."

SECTION 3. Section 712-1270.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§712-1270.3 Citizen's rights. Any citizen who brings a nuisance abatement suit against a place used for the purpose of committing:

(1) Fireworks related offenses contained in section 132D-14(a)(1) or (3); [or]

(2) Drug offenses under part IV of this chapter or who files a complaint with the local police or drug nuisance abatement unit of the department of the attorney general[,]; or

(3) Gambling offenses under part III of this chapter,

shall be entitled to the same rights and protections of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings in accordance with chapter 801D."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	_____________________________

Report Title:

Offenses Against Public Health and Morals; Nuisance Abatement; Gambling

Description:

Includes gambling among the types of offenses that are subject to the nuisance abatement laws. Entitles citizens who bring nuisance abatement suits against a place used for gambling to the rights and protections of victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.