# Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-701.5: Murder in the second degree

> Hawaii · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-701.5

## Section

- **Citation:** Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-701.5
- **Heading:** Murder in the second degree
- **Jurisdiction:** Hawaii
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** HI Code / Division 5 / Title 37 / Chapter 707 / Section 707-701.5

## Text

(1) Except as provided in section 707-701, a person commits the offense of murder in the second degree if the person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of another person; provided that this section shall not apply to actions taken under chapter 327L.

(2) Murder in the second degree is a felony for which the defendant shall be sentenced to imprisonment as provided in section 706-656. [L 1986, c 314, §50; am L 2018, c 2, §6]

COMMENTARY ON §707-701.5

Act 2, Session Laws 2018, amended this section to provide that the offense of murder in the second degree does not apply to actions taken pursuant to chapter 327L, which allows an adult resident of the State with a medically confirmed terminal disease and less than six months to live to obtain a prescription for medication to end the person's life. The amendment was included among several immunities established for persons or organizations acting in good faith compliance with chapter 327L, including physicians, their associates, and the facilities or institutions where they provide services. Senate Standing Committee Report No. 3251.

## Nearby sections

- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-701.5 Murder in the second degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-701.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-702 Manslaughter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-702.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-702.5 Negligent homicide in the first degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-702.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-703 Negligent homicide in the second degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-703.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-704 Negligent homicide in the third degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-704.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-705 Negligent injury in the first degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-705.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-706 Negligent injury in the second degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-706.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-711 Assault in the second degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-711.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-712 Assault in the third degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-712.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-712.2 Habitual violent crime.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-712.2.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-712.5 Assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-712.5.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-712.6 Assault against a law enforcement officer in the second degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-712.6.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-712.7 Assault against an emergency worker.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-712.7.md)
- [Haw. Rev. Stat. § 707-713 Reckless endangering in the first degree.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-713.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_HI_D5_T37_C707_S707-701.5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.