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HB2219

Relating To Disclosure Of Attorney-client And Attorney Work-product Privileged Communications To The Ombudsman.

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Amended· Feb 19, 2026

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2219

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT AND ATTORNEY WORK-PRODUCT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS TO THE OMBUDSMAN.

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

SECTION 1. Section 96-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§96-9 Investigation procedures. (a) In an investigation, the ombudsman may make inquiries and obtain information as the ombudsman thinks fit, enter without notice to inspect the premises of an agency, and hold private hearings.

(b) The ombudsman is required to maintain secrecy in respect to all matters and the identities of the complainants or witnesses coming before the ombudsman except so far as disclosures may be necessary to enable the ombudsman to carry out the ombudsman's duties and to support the ombudsman's recommendations.

[Underlined: (c) Disclosure by an agency to the ombudsman under this chapter of a communication that is subject to attorney-client privilege or attorney work-product privilege shall not waive the privilege as to any other person. The ombudsman shall not disclose to any other person a privileged communication provided under this subsection.]"

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Agency Communications; Disclosure; Attorney-Client Privilege; Attorney Work-Product Privilege

Description:

Specifies that disclosure of communications by an agency to the Ombudsman does not waive any existing attorney-client or attorney work-product privilege pertaining to those communications. Prohibits the Ombudsman from disclosing privileged communications to others. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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

Source: Hawaiʻi State Legislature · Retrieved Nov 8, 2026 · Source document ↗