HONOLULU (Island News) — Hawaii is joining more than 20 states in a lawsuit seeking to block a new Trump administration policy that would expand access to personal information from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.
The lawsuit targets a new federal policy set to take effect on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. The policy would allow the Administration for Children and Families to share personal information from people receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families FUNDS with other federal, state, and even private entities.
The Trump adminsitration said the move is to verify program compliance.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez and the coalition argued that could expose highly sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, immigration status, and income information in violation of federal privacy laws.
The states are asking a federal judge to block the policy before it takes effect.
