STAND. COM. REP. NO. 698

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 722

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 722, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require:

(1) The Department of the Attorney General to address the needs of victims of human trafficking through the development of a statewide human trafficking program;

(2) The Department of the Attorney General to submit reports to the Legislature on the State's efforts to address human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children; and

(3) The Children's Justice Program to coordinate the investigation and case management of child trafficking cases, including cases involving the sexual exploitation of children.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Parents and Children Together, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary and Imua Alliance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 722, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair