STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1102

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 235

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 S.B. No. 235, 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 require the Department of the Attorney General to:

(1) Develop and implement a statewide program to prevent human trafficking and provide increased support and assistance to victims of human trafficking and victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children;

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2024 on the State's efforts to address the commercial sexual exploitation of children; and

(3) Submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025 on the State's efforts to address human trafficking.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Rainbow Family 808, Zonta Club of Hilo, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, and two individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

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 United States. Your Committees also find that the covert nature of the crimes and the reluctance of the exploited individuals to report or identify themselves as victims make the crimes extremely difficult to detect and counter. 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 robust and comprehensive statewide framework.

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 S.B. No. 235, 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