Statutes: Hawaii

(1) Except as provided in section 709-903.5(2), a person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree if, having care or custody of a minor, the person:

(a) Recklessly allows another person to inflict serious or substantial bodily injury on the minor; or

(b) Recklessly causes or permits the minor to inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the minor’s body any controlled substance listed in sections 329-14, 329-16, 329-18, and 329-20 that has not been prescribed by a physician for the minor, except as permitted under section 329-122. This subsection shall not apply to nursing mothers who may cause the ingestion or introduction of detectable amounts of any controlled substance listed in sections 329-14, 329-16, 329-18, and 329-20 to their minor children through breastfeeding.

(2) A person commits the offense of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree if, being a parent, guardian, or other person whether or not charged with the care or custody of a minor, the person knowingly endangers the minor’s physical or mental welfare by violating or interfering with any legal duty of care or protection owed such minor.

(3) Endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree is a misdemeanor.