STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1589-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.R. No. 52

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 52 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A ONE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A BASIC INCOME TO QUALIFIED ADULTS WHO ARE VERIFIED VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING OR WHO ARE FEMALE OR SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO EXIT THE SEX TRADE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to establish a one-year pilot program to provide a basic income to qualified adults who are verified victims of sex trafficking or who are female or sexual and gender minority individuals seeking to exit the sex trade.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that providing economic support via a basic income program to individuals seeking to leave the sex trade may be a viable alternative to the current tendency of many social institutions to penalize exploited people and may help these individuals leave the industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the Department of Human Services and Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a program to provide a basic income to certain qualified adults who are victims of sex trafficking or seeking to exit the sex trade, rather than requesting the Department to establish a one-year pilot program;

(2) Specifying the contents of the study;

(3) Requiring the Department of Human Services and Legislative Reference Bureau to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2023;

(4) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(5) 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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 52, 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. 52, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair