Systems and methods for controlling a park pawl system of a hybrid vehicle having a hybrid powertrain comprising an engine and a hybrid transmission comprising at least one electric propulsion motor, the systems and methods each utilizing a control system configured to detect, using a main control system portion, a desired park state based on at least an input via a transmission gear selector and an input via a brake pedal and detect, using a distinct monitoring system portion, whether the desired park state is valid based on at least the transmission gear selector and brake pedal inputs. When the desired park state is valid, the control system commands the park pawl system to the desired park state. When the desired park state is invalid, however, the control system commands an electric park brake of the vehicle to prevent movement at a driveline of the vehicle.