ProposedAI Laws in Hawaii (HI)
Proposed requirements for AI impact assessments in employment and public services.
What HB 1607 requires
Hawaii has enacted HB 1607 — AI Accountability. Proposed requirements for AI impact assessments in employment and public services. This page explains what the law requires in plain language, who is in scope, the penalty for non-compliance, and what your business needs to do before the January 1, 2027 deadline.
Who is in scope
The law covers any business in Hawaii that uses algorithmic tools to screen job applications, score interviews, rank candidates, evaluate employee performance, or make promotion and termination decisions; developers who build AI systems classified as high-risk — typically systems that influence consequential decisions in credit, employment, healthcare, education, housing, or government services — and the companies that deploy them; and Hawaii state agencies that deploy AI for benefits determination, licensing, law enforcement, or public-service delivery; private-sector operators serving state contracts are also in scope. Company size does not determine whether you are in scope — a startup with ten employees using an off-the-shelf AI hiring tool has the same disclosure obligations as an enterprise running a custom-built model. What matters is whether the AI system makes or substantially informs a decision that affects a Hawaii resident in a consequential way. Notably, the obligation extends to vendors: if your company deploys an AI tool built by a third party, you — as the deployer — are responsible for ensuring it meets Hawaii's requirements, even if you did not build it.
Key compliance requirements
Hawaii's employment AI rules create concrete pre-deployment and ongoing obligations. Before any AI tool enters the hiring or performance-management pipeline, employers must be able to document what data the system uses, how it reaches a decision, and what steps have been taken to detect and mitigate bias. Affected candidates and employees are entitled to notice that AI is involved — that notice must be provided before the AI evaluation takes place, not after an adverse decision has already been issued. Many employment AI statutes also require that a human reviewer be available to consider any appeal of an AI-assisted adverse action, preventing a loop where an algorithm's decision becomes final with no meaningful override path.
Hawaii's risk-assessment framework requires that developers and deployers of high-impact AI systems conduct formal impact assessments before deployment and re-evaluate them when the system changes materially. An impact assessment must document the intended purpose of the system, the data it uses, the populations it affects, known accuracy limitations, and what bias-testing was performed. Deployers must also publish a summary of the assessment that is accessible to consumers and regulators — internal documentation alone is insufficient. Critically, the assessment is not a one-time exercise: Hawaii's law contemplates ongoing monitoring, with a duty to update documentation when performance data or demographic outputs shift.
Hawaii's AI law for public-sector systems requires state agencies to create and maintain an inventory of every AI tool used in government operations. Each entry in the inventory must describe the system's purpose, the decisions it informs, the data inputs, and the vendor or developer responsible for it. Agencies must also establish an appeals process so that individuals affected by an AI-assisted decision can request human review. For private-sector companies that provide AI tools to the state, contract language must address these transparency and accountability obligations — vendors who cannot demonstrate compliance may be excluded from procurement.
Penalties for non-compliance
The financial consequences of non-compliance under HB 1607 are real and enforceable now. Hawaii sets a maximum civil penalty of Civil penalties. Penalties accumulate per violation — meaning a company that has deployed an AI tool to thousands of consumers without required disclosures faces compounding exposure, not a single capped fine. Employment AI violations often trigger parallel exposure: an employer who fails to provide required notice faces state penalties AND increased litigation risk under federal equal-employment law, because documented failure to audit for bias can be used as evidence of disparate-impact intent in private lawsuits.
What to do now
Build your AI inventory first. You cannot comply with Hawaii's requirements if you do not know which systems are in scope. Map every AI or automated decision system your company uses that touches Hawaii residents — including third-party vendor tools integrated into your product.
Audit hiring tools before the deadline. Commission or conduct a bias audit on any resume screener, interview scorer, or performance-management AI. Document the methodology, the demographic breakdown of outcomes, and the steps taken to mitigate any identified disparities.
Implement candidate and employee notice. Update job postings, onboarding materials, and performance-review workflows to include required disclosures. Verify that the notice is delivered before the AI evaluation occurs.
Draft accurate disclosure language. Work with legal counsel to produce disclosure statements that accurately describe what your AI does, what data it uses, and what the consumer can do if they want human review. Vague or boilerplate disclosures will not satisfy Hawaii's requirements.
Build the opt-out pathway. Implement a functioning process for consumers to request human review or opt out of AI-assisted processing. Test it before the deadline — regulators will look for live, working mechanisms, not documented promises.
Complete impact assessments for high-risk systems. Follow the framework in HB 1607 to produce a written assessment covering intended use, training data, affected populations, accuracy benchmarks, and bias mitigation. Retain the documentation for at least the period specified in the law's record-keeping provisions.
Review government contracts. If your company provides AI tools to Hawaii state agencies, review pending and existing contracts to ensure they address the inventory, transparency, and appeals requirements that now flow through to vendors.
Assign a compliance owner. Designate someone — legal counsel, a privacy officer, or a dedicated AI governance lead — to track regulatory developments, own the audit documentation, and respond if an enforcement inquiry arrives. The compliance deadline is January 1, 2027. Don't wait until the deadline to start.
Hawaii AI law in the broader regulatory landscape
Hawaii's law does not exist in isolation. The trend across the United States is toward more regulation, not less: at least 20 states enacted or proposed AI-specific legislation in 2025 alone, and federal enforcement agencies — the FTC, EEOC, CFPB, and HHS — have all issued guidance making clear that existing laws apply to AI systems even where no AI-specific statute exists. Companies doing business across state lines must track each state's requirements independently — there is no federal preemption that would allow a company to satisfy Hawaii's law and automatically comply with requirements in Illinois, Colorado, or New York.
Recent AI law developments in Hawaii
Updated August 23, 2026Recent news coverage of AI regulation and policy in Hawaii. Headlines are aggregated automatically; follow each link for the full story.
Coverage from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP on AI legislation and regulation relevant to Hawaii.
Coverage from Honolulu Star-Advertiser on AI legislation and regulation relevant to Hawaii.
Coverage from Hawaii Tribune-Herald on AI legislation and regulation relevant to Hawaii.
Coverage from KHON2 on AI legislation and regulation relevant to Hawaii.
Coverage from KITV on AI legislation and regulation relevant to Hawaii.
AI bills moving through the Hawaii legislature
Updated September 18, 2026AI-related bills currently tracked in the Hawaii legislature, updated automatically from Open States and the state legislature's own official record. Follow each link for the official bill text, sponsors, and status history.
Requires operators of AI companions in the State to issue certain disclosures to users. Requires operators to develop certain protocols to respond to user prompts regarding suicidal ideation or self-harm. Establishes protections for users and minor users of AI companions. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires operators to su…
Act 248, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1350).
Prohibits certain harmful uses of realistic digital imitations generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Establishes certain exemptions. Provides for civil actions and civil remedies for individuals injured by unauthorized AI-generated realistic digital imitations. (CD1)
Act 247, 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1349).
Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
Certified copies of resolutions sent, 05-12-26.
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 810).
Referred to EDU/LBT.
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 591).
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1889-26), recommending adoption.
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1790-26), recommending adoption.
Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and…
Reported from LBT/GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3358) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The committee on EDU deferred the measure.
RELATING TO PERMITTING.
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
Referred to EDU/LBT.
Referred to EDU/LBT.
Prohibits music streaming platforms from hosting, distributing, or otherwise making available in the State music performed or attributed to an artificial intelligence music artist. Makes violations an unfair method of competition and an unfair and deceptive act or practice. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Requires health care providers using artificial intelligence (AI) in patient interactions to disclose to the patient that the patient is interacting with artificial intelligence. Requires health care providers using AI in making consequential decisions relating to the patient to provide certain notice and statements…
Reported from HHS/LBT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2357) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/WAM.
Requires operators of conversational artificial intelligence services in the State to issue certain disclosures to account holders and users. Requires operators to develop protocols to respond to prompts or content associated with, and prevent the production of, suicidal ideations in account holders and users. Estab…
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 146-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
Establishes consumer protection requirements for the use of artificial intelligence systems in consumer interactions and consequential decisions, including disclosures, documentation, and a right to correction, appeal, and human review. Makes certain violations an unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires risk m…
The committee on LBT deferred the measure.
RELATING TO PERMITTING.
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).
RELATING TO ANTITRUST.
The committee(s) on HSG recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Beginning 1/1/2027, requires a developer of an algorithmic decision system to provide certain disclosures to a deployer and an individual who is or will be affected by a decision made, informed, or influenced by the algorithmic decision system. Provides certain rights and procedures for individuals to access and cor…
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
RELATING TO PUBLICITY RIGHTS.
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
RELATING TO PUBLICITY RIGHTS.
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN/JDC.
RELATING TO DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curricula Plan for students in eleventh and twelfth grades, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year as a condition for graduation. Establishes the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence Education. Establ…
The committee(s) on EDN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public in navigating the open data portal website and finding information a…
Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 6
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
Referred to EDN, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 6
RELATING TO THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS.
Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 6
Establishes the Office of Artificial Intelligence Safety and Regulation within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence technologies in the State. Prohibits the deployment of artificial intelligence products in the State unless affirm…
Referred to CPN/LBT, WAM/JDC.
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services.
Referred to LBT/HHS, JDC.
RELATING TO INSURANCE.
Referred to CPN/LBT, WAM.
RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT.
Referred to ECD/TOU, FIN, referral sheet 5
RELATING TO IDENTITY THEFT.
The committee on LBT deferred the measure.
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.
Referred to HHS/LBT, CPN.
RELATING TO THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS.
Referred to HHS, CPN/WAM.
Requires the Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Finance and Office of Enterprise Technology Services, and Department of Human Services, to establish and maintain an online clearinghouse enhanced by artificial intelligence of evidence-based treatment and prevention programs. Requi…
Referred to HHS/LBT, WAM/JDC.
RELATING TO IDENTITY THEFT.
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curricula Plan for students in eleventh and twelfth grades, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year as a condition for graduation. Establishes the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence Education. Establ…
Referred to EDU/LBT, WAM.
RELATING TO THE HAWAII PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT.
Referred to HHS, CPN.
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.
Referred to HLT, ECD, CPC, referral sheet 1
RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Referred to PSM/LBT, JDC.
Requires corporations, organizations, or individuals engaging to commercial transactions or trade practices to clearly and conspicuously notify consumers when the consumer is interacting with an artificial intelligence chatbot or other technology capable of mimicking human behaviors. Authorizes private rights of act…
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes the Hawaii Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Requires an action plan and reports to the Governor and Legislature by certain dates. Establishes positions. Authorizes the hiring of consultants to assist the advisory council. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes the crime of unlawful creation or distribution of a sexually explicit deepfake.
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes and appropriates funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes and appropriates funds for a data and artificial intelligence governance and decision intelligence center and necessary positions to improve data quality and data sharing statewide.
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Requires corporations, organizations, or individuals engaging to commercial transactions or trade practices to clearly and conspicuously notify consumers when the consumer is interacting with an artificial intelligence chatbot or other technology capable of mimicking human behaviors, with certain exemptions. Require…
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Establishes and appropriates funds for a data and artificial intelligence governance and decision intelligence center and necessary positions to improve data quality and data sharing statewide.
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Prohibits users of algorithmic decision-making from utilizing algorithmic eligibility determinations in a discriminatory manner. Requires users of algorithmic decision-making to send corresponding notices to individuals whose personal information is used. Requires users of algorithmic decision-making to submit annua…
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3355), with recommendation of referral to JDC.
Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3354), with recommendation of referral to JDC.
Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 18
Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 18
Establishes the Artificial Intelligence Working Group to develop acceptable use policies and guidelines for the regulation, development, deployment, and use of artificial technologies in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 540-24) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.
Establishes the Office of Artificial Intelligence Safety and Regulation within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence technologies in the State. Prohibits the deployment of artificial intelligence products in the State unless affirm…
The committee on LBT deferred the measure.
Establishes a plan for the use of generative artificial intelligence in state agencies, departments, and government branches. Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to carry out risk assessments and to prepare guidelines for state uses. Requires reports to the Legislature.
Referred to HET/LGO, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 2
Requires any campaign advertisement that contains any image, video footage, or audio recording that is created with the use of generative artificial intelligence to include a disclosure statement regarding the use of that technology. Subjects violators to administrative fines.
Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 1
Certified copies of resolutions sent.
Certified copies of resolutions sent.
Limits the Department of Transportation's use of facial imaging and thermal scanning systems to certain specified situations. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Reported from GVO/TRS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2697) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.
Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority to host a global summit on artificial intelligence in 2020. Authorizes the Hawaii Tourism Authority to contract the services of another entity to assist the Hawaii Tourism Authority in hosting the summit. Makes an appropriation.
Carried over to 2020 Regular Session.
Creates a legislative task force to investigate the application and the accompanying advantages and disadvantages of applying artificial intelligence to Hawaii's economy and government operations.
Carried over to 2020 Regular Session.
Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-12-19.
The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Referred to EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Referred to EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Referred to TIA/EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Referred to EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Referred to TIA/EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Referred to EDB, FIN, referral sheet 33
Applicable laws
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Do you also serve EU customers?
The EU AI Act applies to any company serving EU customers, even if you're based in Hawaii. Penalties reach €35M or 7% of global revenue. Deadline: August 2, 2026.
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Anchored to the primary government source (statute, bill text, or agency rule) and verified directly against it · Last verified Jul 11, 2026. See our methodology.
- ↗capitol.hawaii.govhttps://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1607…