CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 23

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 292

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

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

Your Committee on Conference finds that often, victims of sexual exploitation may be afraid to seek assistance or cooperate with law enforcement due to the trauma they have experienced or the fear of being prosecuted for offenses they may have committed. This measure establishes safe harbor protections for survivors to allow victims of sexual trauma to access professional help without the fear of facing prosecution from law enforcement.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ LISA MARTEN Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair
____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair