Lawmakers have introduced at least three bills in the current session of the Legislature relating to human trafficking and sex trafficking.
Two bills, House Bill 155 and Senate Bill 1261, are similar and would add some teeth to sex trafficking enforcement.
Either measure, if passed in its original form, would make sex trafficking a Class A felony with a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation or parole.
The legislation also specifies fines between $200,000 and $500,000 for those convicted of sex trafficking. It also provides that a person who reports being a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability involving sex trafficking or prostitution.
The bills would require the state Department of Human Services to implement services and programs for survivors and training for law enforcement. They also appropriate funding and would require an annual report to the Legislature.
Both bills have passed their first floor reading in their respective chambers.
HB 155, which was introduced by Rep. David Alcos III, an Oahu Republican and assistant minority leader, hasn’t had any committee hearings yet, but would have to pass three hearings to return for a second floor vote. Its been referred to a joint session of the committees on Human Services and Homelessness, and Education.
Alcos’ bill has four co-sponsors, three of them Oahu Republicans: Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto, Minority Caucus Leader Gene Ward and Minority Floor Leader Diamond Garcia. Also signing on is Rep. Darius Kila, an Oahu Democrat.
SB 1261, introduced by Mike Gabbard, an Oahu Democrat, hasn’t yet received a committee referral.
The third piece of legislation, HB 609, introduced by Rep. Kanani Souza, an Oahu Republican, would require the posting of informational placards about sex trafficking and resources available to victims in public buildings and at other specified locations.
It also would require the state Department of Education to train teachers, school administrators and other school personnel on the dynamics of sex trafficking and strategies for prevention and response. In addition, it would require and appropriates money for the attorney general to develop and implement public education and outreach events on the dynamics of sex trafficking and the importance of community involvement in prevention and response efforts.
Souza’s legislation has four co-sponsors, all Oahu Democrats: Majority Whips Tyson Miyake and Amy Perruso, plus Reps. Elle Cochran and Kim Coco Iwamoto.
HB 609 has received the same referral as HB 155, and also hasn’t yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.
This month marks the 15th anniversary of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Gov. Josh Green held a proclamation signing Friday in Honolulu with law enforcement officials. The proclamation, which highlighted awareness rather than prescribing any specific action, noted that state Department of Health statistics between January 2024 and June 2024 include 34 reports of human trafficking, 10 of which were confirmed cases. The types of exploitation included 25 reports of sex trafficking and four reports of labor trafficking.
According to the DOH, 19 reports were made from Oahu, four from Hawaii Island, three from Maui and one from Kauai.
“We affirm our commitment to combat this crime and it is horrific, because the heartbreaking truth is that Native Hawaiian keiki are disproportionately affected by human trafficking,” Green said. “And we’ve heard the stories in the neighbor islands, very young girls getting taken. People go missing. And it’s hard. It’s a hard crime to prosecute.
While signing the proclamation, Green described human traffickers as “vermin.”
“It’s devastating to think that this beautiful home, this paradise, is a place where our most vulnerable children can be taken,” he said. “So, every child, from our perspective, deserves to live in a space of safety.”
Despite the DOH’s report numbers, Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said the department doesn’t have any active human trafficking investigations.
“Human trafficking is very much an invisible crime,” Moszkowicz said. “While we urge anyone who is being exploited to contact police for assistance, we also realize it may not be that simple for victims to do so. That is why we continue to work with our federal and state partners to identify possible victims and get them assistance, regardless of the possibility of prosecution.”
John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
