Bill > HB896

This bill creates a comprehensive legal framework for prosecuting and sentencing individuals convicted of sex trafficking, with a particular focus on severe cases that may warrant the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The bill establishes a detailed sentencing procedure that requires a separate jury proceeding to determine whether a convicted sex trafficking defendant should receive the death penalty or life imprisonment, taking into account specific aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The bill also modifies existing statutes to elevate commercial sexual exploitation to a class A felony and updates definitions related to child abuse, harm, and sexual offenses to more explicitly include sex trafficking. Key provisions include a requirement for a unanimous jury recommendation for the death penalty, which must be based on finding at least one aggravating circumstance and determining that mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the aggravating ones. The bill provides specific protections for minors and individuals with mental or developmental challenges, ensuring they cannot be sentenced to death. Additionally, the bill mandates automatic Supreme Court review of any death sentence and requires preservation of DNA evidence to allow potential future challenges to the conviction.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=896&year=2026