HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2011

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Jo Jordan, Vice Chair

 

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Rep. Karen L. Awana, Chair

Rep. Mark J. Hashem, Vice Chair

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair

Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Vice Chair

 

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Senator J. Kalani English, Chair

Senator Will Espero, Vice Chair

 

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Monday, January 09, 2012

TIME:

2:00 p.m.

PLACE:

Conference Room 329

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

A G E N D A

 

The purpose of this informational briefing is to discuss human and sex trafficking and its impact in Hawaii, as well as measures against this travesty and violation of human rights.

 

During the 2011 legislative session, HB141 and HB240 were passed and signed into law, providing stronger policy and protection for victims of labor and sex trafficking and sex crimes.

 

The informational briefing will also focus on the hardships endured by human sex trafficking victims. The briefing with focus on the following areas of human trafficking:

 

1.  Child Labor

2.  Sex Slavery

3.  Forced Labor

4.  Barriers to combating human trafficking

5.  Solutions and policy changes to better address human trafficking

6.  Proposed Measures for 2012:  Safe Harbor Bill[1], Vacating Convictions[2], Improved Education & awareness of human trafficking[3], State Plan for Human-trafficking Victim Services[4], and a Steering Committee on Human Trafficking[5] .

 

During the briefing, discussion will focus on legislation and policy that is critical to creating a comprehensive legal framework to better combat human trafficking in Hawaii.

 

At the conclusion of the briefing, the chairs of the participating committees will summarize the suggested solutions ascertained from this briefing and review of proposed bills and resolutions to better address human and sex trafficking in Hawaii.

 

The following organizations or individuals have been invited to participate:

 

Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services & Adult Protective Services Branch

The Honolulu Police Department

The City Prosecutor's office

The Attorney General's office

Communications Pacific

Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery

The Polaris Project

Other human sex trafficking survivors or organizations representing human sex trafficking victims.

 

ONLY TESTIMONY FROM THOSE ON THE TESTIFIER LIST WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 

Persons on the testifiers list wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

 

·    Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

·    The Committee the comments are directed to;

·    The date and time of the hearing or briefing;

·    Measure number if applicable; and

·    The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing/briefing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

 

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: One copy (including an original) to Room 315 in the State Capitol;

FAX:     For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-8524 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to HUStestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov.

 

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

 

No public testimony will be accepted.

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the informational briefing  (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 to make a request for arrangements at least 24 hours prior to the briefing.  Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

 

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland

Chair

 

__________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair

 

 

 

___________________________________

Senator  J. Kalani English

Chair

 

__________________________________

Rep.  Karen L. Awana

Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVED

 

APPROVED

 

 

 

___________________________________

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

 

__________________________________

Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker of the House

 



[1] Safe harbor – allowing for a mandatory referral of child victims to a licensed and trained child service provider.

[2] Vacating Convictions – allows sex-trafficking victims to file a motion to vacate all prostitution charges from their criminal records while they were held in captivity, illegally.

[3] Education and awareness – seek greater education to the public, and youth of Hawaii on human trafficking and prevention.

 

[4] State plan for human trafficking victims service – creates a state plan specific to the needs of rehabilitating human trafficking victims.

[5] Measure to create a steering committee to review and recommend public policy and a state plan for human trafficking victim services.