STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 520
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 689
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 689 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to establish safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance.
Your Committee finds that sex trafficking is a pervasive crime that preys on society's most vulnerable, including minors and historically marginalized communities. Survivors of sexual exploitation often face immense barriers to seeking help, including fear of prosecution, social stigma, and prolonged trauma. This measure addresses these issues by establishing safe harbor protections for survivors who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, ensuring they are not criminalized for their own exploitation.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 689, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 689, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,
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____________________________ LISA MARTEN, Chair |
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