Extends Hawaii discrimination complaint statute of limitations to one year
Summary
The Hawaii State Legislature passed SB2727, amending the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission statute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints from the prior timeframe to one year. The bill passed the Senate 24-0 on March 6, 2026, and the House passed it on second reading April 1, 2026, with the HD1 amendment. This extension provides complainants additional time to file civil rights complaints.
What changed
SB2727 extends the statute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. The bill was sponsored by Senator Karl Rhoads and passed both chambers during the 2026 Regular Session after hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee (JDC) and House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee (JHA). The measure received broad support with 10 Ayes in JHA and 24 Ayes in the Senate.
Employers and HR departments should update internal complaint procedures and policies to reflect the extended one-year filing window. Training for managers and compliance staff should address the expanded timeframe during which discrimination claims may be filed. Legal counsel should review current workplace practices given the increased exposure to retrospective claims.
What to do next
- Update internal discrimination complaint procedures to reflect the one-year statute of limitations
- Train HR staff and managers on the extended filing window for discrimination complaints
- Review and strengthen workplace discrimination prevention policies given increased claim exposure period
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2727 Passed SB2727 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-06
Relating To Discrimination.
Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Karl Rhoads (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-01 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). 2026-04-01 H Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1588-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-03-17 H The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and Excused: none. 2026-03-12 H Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-17-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-10 H Referred to JHA, referral sheet 16 2026-03-10 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-06 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 77). 2026-03-06 S Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-05 S One Day Notice 3/06/2026. 2026-03-05 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading. 2026-03-05 S Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2805) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-02-18 S The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 9:05AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. 2026-01-30 S Referred to JDC. 2026-01-26 S Passed First Reading. 2026-01-23 S Introduced.
Votes
2026-02-18 Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended Yea: 3 Nay: 1
Committee Referrals
2026-01-30 S Judiciary 2026-03-10 H Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-23 Introduced 2026-03-31 Amended
Subjects
Hawaii Civil Rights Commission Anti-discrimination Statute of Limitations Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Government & Legislation alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when State Bills: Hawaii publishes new changes.