STAND. COM. REP. NO.  55-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2772

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2772 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to further address issues relating to human trafficking by:

     (1)  Adding members to the Hawaii Anti-trafficking Task Force (Task Force);

     (2)  Extending the Task Force to June 30, 2010; and

     (3)  Appropriating $10,000 for Task Force expenses.

     The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Safe Zone Foundation, Girl Fest Hawaii, and VOICES testified in support of this bill.  The Attorney General supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney testified in support of this bill with amendments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing Sisters Offering Support, which no longer exists, from the Task Force;

     (2)  Changing the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline to its new name, the Domestic Violence Action Center; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2772, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2772, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair