STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1812

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 579

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 579, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the statewide Human Trafficking Prevention Program within the Department of the Attorney General to provide services and assistance to commercially sexually exploited children and victims of human trafficking; and

(2) Require reports to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, State Council on Mental Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Zonta Club of Hilo, Imua Alliance, and nine individuals.

Your Committees find that human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children have been a growing issue both in the State and throughout the nation. Your Committees further find that while the State has implemented multiple programs to prevent and fight these crimes, there is a need for a more coordinated and comprehensive effort. This measure furthers the State's efforts in countering human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children by establishing a statewide human trafficking prevention program.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 579, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair