STAND. COM. REP. NO. 292-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2573

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2573 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize a prosecution for sex trafficking to be commenced at any time.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, County of Kauai Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Honolulu Police Department, Maui Police Department, IMUAlliance, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that many victims of sex trafficking delay reporting crimes until they are removed from their traffickers or living situation, and undergo treatment. Due to the reporting delay, prosecutors in Hawaii are often barred from prosecuting sex trafficking offenses due to the statute of limitations. Your Committee believes that due to the seriousness of the offense, prosecutors should have the power to pursue a criminal case for sex trafficking, regardless of how much time has elapsed.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2573 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair