WHAT IS ACT 259?
Act 259 is a civil recourse for discriminatory reporting to Law Enforcement.
You may file a lawsuit against an individual for knowingly causing a law enforcement officer to come to a location to contact a person on the basis of their race, gender identity or other protected class.
WHAT ARE PROTECTED CLASSES?
RACE
COLOR
ANCESTRY
ETHNICITY
NATIONAL ORIGIN
PLACE OF BIRTH
SEX
AGE
RELIGION
DISABILITY
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION
YOU MAY SUE IF AN INDIVIDUAL INTENDS TO
Discriminate or infringe on your constitutional rights
Harass, humiliate, or embarrass you
Cause you to be expelled from a place you are lawfully allowed to be
Damage your reputation, or standing in the community
Damage your financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests
YOU MAY SEEK
Injunctive relief
Payment for damages
Attorneys’ fees and costs
Other appropriate relief
You do not have to prove actual damages to obtain an injunction to stop the discriminatory action.
WHAT CAN I DO?
If you feel your rights were violated, you may file a lawsuit for this type of discrimination.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii: https://www.legalaidhawaii.org
Judiciary Self-Help Page: https://www.courts.state.hi.us/self-help
Legal Navigator Hawai’i Tool: https://legalnavigatorhawaii.org