STAND. COM. REP. NO. 892-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2183

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2183 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish safe harbor protection for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department; Imua Alliance; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Your Committee further finds that immunizing sex trafficking survivors from prosecution would help advance the delivery of social services, help end the social stigma of sexual exploitation, and empower victims to utilize the legal system to achieve justice. This measure would establish safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purpose 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. 2183, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2183, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair