STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2269

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2216

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2216 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROSTITUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for a purchase of services contract for the Department of Human Services to implement a prostitution prevention education and diversion program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaii Youth Services Network; and Domestic Violence Action Center.  Testimony in opposition was received from Harm Reduction Hawaii.  Comments were received from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that many young people in Hawaii are at risk of commercial sexual exploitation, which includes prostitution as well as other forms of sex work such as pornography.  Your Committee further finds that it is imperative to give children the information to make good choices, ones that have a positive impact on their futures.  Your Committee finds that young people should be equipped with the tools and skills to see and understand the dangers of prostitution.  This measure provides that essential education.

     According to testimony of the Domestic Violence Action Center, it has been concerned about victim prostitutes dating back to the years of the administration of Governor Cayetano.  With a federal grant, the Action Center coordinated the general discussion, an evaluation of community policies, and the planning for improved services.  With the absence of programs by entities that understand the complexity of the sex industry, the safety, support, advocacy, and recovery of sex workers is non-existent.

     Your Committee has amended this measure on the recommendation of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women by clarifying the parameters of the program.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2216, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2216, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair