Bill > HB993

This bill proposes several amendments to Hawaii's laws related to prostitution and sex trafficking, with the primary goal of clarifying and strengthening existing statutes. The bill updates definitions and provisions across multiple sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, specifically focusing on clarifying the definition of "profits from prostitution" to include any money or property accepted as reimbursement or repayment of a debt, even if related to prostitution activity. The legislation restructures legal language to enhance readability and makes technical updates to statutory references, particularly in Part I of Chapter 712. Key changes include expanding the understanding of how individuals can be considered to be profiting from prostitution, modifying sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes, and adding explicit protections to ensure that victims of prostitution are not criminally prosecuted for their own involvement. The bill was prompted by a Hawaii Supreme Court decision (State v. Ibarra) that indicated a need for greater clarity in sex trafficking and promoting prostitution laws, and it aims to provide more precise legal definitions and protections for individuals involved in or affected by prostitution-related activities.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=993&year=2026