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HRS §352-16

Work release for youth correctional residents

The director can set up a work release plan for people in youth correctional facilities, as long as it doesn't interfere with their education. Under the plan, they can work outside the facility and must return during non-working hours unless allowed otherwise. Employers must send their earnings to the director, who holds them for the person.

employers

The statute, as written — Establishment of work release

(a) The director, in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the director, may establish a work release plan for persons who are committed to the director's care and who are receiving care and treatment in a youth correctional facility; provided that such a plan shall not interfere with any educational program in which such persons may be enrolled. (b) Under such a work release plan, any such person may be authorized to secure or continue in suitable employment outside of such youth correctional facility, and unless otherwise authorized by the department with respect to specific cases, return to and remain in such facility during non-working hours. (c) Employment under such a work release plan may be at a wage less than the minimum wage authorized in chapter 387; provided that no more than five hours of a person's workweek shall be paid at wages less than the minimum wage. (d) It shall be the duty of the employer of a person participating in a work release plan to transmit to the director the earnings of such persons. The transmission to the director of the earnings of such person shall operate to discharge such employer from any further obligation to such person except with respect to any taxes lawfully withheld from the wages of such person. (e) The earnings transmitted to the director by a person's employer under a work release plan shall be held to the account of such person.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.