STAND. COM. REP. NO. 534

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 579

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 579, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of the Attorney General to:

(1) Address the needs of victims of human trafficking through the development and implementation of a statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Program; and

(2) Report to the Legislature on the State's efforts to address human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Zonta Club of Hilo, Hawai‘i Women Lawyers, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Imua Alliance, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that many children in the State are vulnerable to sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Over the last decade, the commercial sexual exploitation of children has garnered greater attention in Hawaii and throughout the United States. This measure provides a robust and comprehensive framework for the Department of the Attorney General to make efforts to prevent human trafficking, provide increased support and assistance to victims, educate the public, prosecute offenders, and collect data.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 579, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 579, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair