Bill > SB1312

This bill clarifies and updates Hawaii's sex trafficking and prostitution-related criminal statutes, primarily addressing definitional issues and legal interpretations following a recent state supreme court decision. The bill makes several key changes, including refining the definitions of terms like "advances prostitution" and "profits from prostitution" to more precisely capture activities related to sex trafficking. It modifies existing laws to clarify that a person knowingly receiving money or value from prostitution activities can be considered as profiting from prostitution, regardless of whether the amount exceeds expenses. The bill also adds explicit protections to ensure that individuals who are themselves victims of prostitution or commercial sexual exploitation cannot be prosecuted under these statutes. Additionally, the bill updates various sections of Hawaii's criminal code to align terminology and remove outdated language, such as standardizing references to minors and sexual conduct. The changes aim to strengthen legal protections against sex trafficking, particularly involving minors, while providing more nuanced definitions that can help prosecutors more effectively address these criminal activities.

Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1312&year=2026