STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1716-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 125

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 125 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN BY STRENGTHENING STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES AND GENERATING A PLAN TO EXPAND SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Law Enforcement to strengthen law enforcement capacity to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children by strengthening statewide enforcement initiatives and generating a plan to expand specialized investigative personnel.

Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the State are complex crimes that have serious repercussions to those involved. These crimes disproportionately affect vulnerable members of society, including runaway youth, homeless youth, and foster youth. Your Committee further finds that existing law enforcement resources dedicated to trafficking investigations and runaway youth recovery are limited relative to the scope and sophistication of these offenses. Strengthening statewide enforcement initiatives and expanding specialized investigative capacity would therefore help improve the State's ability to identify victims, locate missing youth, dismantle criminal trafficking networks, and bring offenders to justice.

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 Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 125, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 125, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair