STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1729

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 292

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, 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 received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu; Tagnawa; Imua Alliance; Ohana Unity Party; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that sex trafficking remains a serious issue in the State. However, criminalizing survivors only deepens their suffering, creating barriers to seeking help and perpetuating stigma. This measure establishes safe harbor protections to ensure that survivors can access medical care, law enforcement assistance, and support services without the threat of prosecution.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 292, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair