THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	92
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE NEW ZEALAND'S MODEL OF DECRIMINALIZING PROSTITUTION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO AMEND HAWAII LAWS TO DECRIMINALIZE PROSTITUTION.

WHEREAS, prostitution is currently illegal in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, there is a growing body of research suggesting that the decriminalization of prostitution could provide benefits to sex workers, their clients, and the broader community; and

WHEREAS, New Zealand is one of the few countries that has decriminalized prostitution, with the passage of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003; and

WHEREAS, the New Zealand model has been in place for almost twenty years, and there is a significant body of research on its effects on sex workers, their clients, and the broader community; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature would benefit from a thorough evaluation of the New Zealand model and its potential application to Hawaii; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Provost of the University of Hawaii at Manoa is requested to designate a faculty member of the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences to establish a working group to evaluate New Zealand's model of decriminalizing prostitution and make recommendations on how to amend Hawaii laws to decriminalize prostitution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the faculty member designated to establish the working group is requested to serve as the chair of the working group and invite other individuals to become members of the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the working group shall serve without compensation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is specifically requested to:

(1) Study the effects of New Zealand's model of decriminalizing prostitution on sex workers, their clients, and the broader community;

(2) Consider the potential impacts of decriminalizing prostitution in Hawaii, including impacts on public health and safety, sex worker rights and protections, and law enforcement; and

(3) Make recommendations for amending Hawaii laws to decriminalize prostitution, including any necessary changes to health and safety regulations, criminal penalties, and labor laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Provost of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the Department Chair of the Department of Women, Gender, and Sexual Studies of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Decriminalize Prostitution; Working Group; University of Hawaii