Hawaii bill could give innocent inmates compensation

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require the state to pay $50,000 to the wrongfully convicted for each year they were imprisoned.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the House bill passed the Judiciary Committee last week. It must be approved by the House Finance Committee and go before the full House for a vote before it heads to the Senate for debate.

The legislation has the support of state Attorney General Doug Chin, making it different from previous versions of the bill, which failed in the Legislature last year.

Concerns raised over last year's measures included eligibility criteria and levels of compensation for wrongful convictions.

The new bill includes recommendations from judges, attorneys and government officials.

Chin says the new bill provides adequate protections for the state.

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