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HB609
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
609
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to sex trafficking
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that sex trafficking
is a pervasive problem that is part of the larger phenomenon of commercial
sexual exploitation.
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A 2020 report by
the Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research of Arizona State University
and the Hawaii state commission on the status of women noted that sex
trafficking victims have been found throughout Hawaii's urban and rural areas
and include youth who attend school.
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The
report also observed that the "lack of a general understanding of the
scope and complexity of sex trafficking in Hawaii has allowed the victimization
of Hawaii residents to continue".
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Similarly, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center observed that
the widespread lack of awareness and understanding of human trafficking has
resulted in low levels of survivor identification by the people who most often
encounter them.
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Because trafficking
occurs in legitimate business settings and residential neighborhoods in
addition to underground markets, exploited or trafficked persons are often in
plain view and interacting with unsuspecting community members.
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The
legislature also finds that the adverse impacts of sex trafficking are
far-reaching and affect individuals, families, and communities.
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Further, traffickers may target school-aged
children by having classmates or peers befriend the victim and lure the victim
to parties and other activities.
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Traffickers also use social media platforms and websites to attract
potential victims.
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However, victims are
often reluctant to report their traffickers, who commonly employ tactics such
as emotional manipulation and control, intimidation, threats, and deceit.
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In some cases, the trafficker may be a family
member or romantic partner of the victim.
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For these
reasons, the legislature recognizes the urgent need for educational and
outreach activities that will help to identify and prevent sex trafficking
before it occurs.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to require:
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(1)
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The posting of
informational placards containing information on sex trafficking and resources
available to sex trafficking victims in public buildings and at other specified
locations;
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(2)
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The department of
education to provide training to teachers, school administrators, and other
school personnel on the dynamics of sex trafficking and strategies for
prevention and response; and
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(3)
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The department of
the attorney general to develop and implement a series of public education and
outreach events on the dynamics of sex trafficking and the importance of
community involvement in sex trafficking prevention and response efforts, and
to appropriate moneys to the department for this purpose.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to
read as follows:
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"
�27-
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Sex trafficking prevention; posting of
notice required.
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(a)
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Each of the locations specified below, upon the availability of the
model placard described in subsection (c), shall have posted in a conspicuous
place near the public entrance or in another conspicuous location in clear view
of the public and employees, and in a place where similar notices are
customarily posted, an informational placard that complies with the
requirements of this section:
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(1)
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All offices of
state agencies under the executive, judicial, and legislative branches;
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(2)
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All offices of
county agencies;
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(3)
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All school
campuses under the jurisdiction of the department of education; and
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(4)
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All offices and
classrooms at each school campus in the university of Hawaii system.
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(b)
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The informational placard required to be
posted pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at least eight and one-half inches
by eleven inches in size, written in a sixteen-point font or larger, and shall
include:
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(1)
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An explanation
of sex trafficking and typical forms of sex trafficking;
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(2)
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A statement
that victims of sex trafficking are protected under federal and state law;
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(3)
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Information on
resources and support, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline; and
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(4)
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Detailed
information on the National Human Trafficking Hotline, including specific
statements that the hotline:
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(A)
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May
be reached by calling a telephone number, to be printed on the placard, or by
sending a text message to a number, to be printed on the placard, to access
help and services;
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(B)
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Is
available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year;
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(C)
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Can
provide help, referral to services, training, and general information in more
than two hundred languages;
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(D)
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Is
operated by a nonprofit, non-governmental organization; and
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(E)
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Will
ensure that all communications with the hotline are anonymous and confidential.
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(c)
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No later than January 1, 2026, the department
of human services shall develop a model placard that complies with the
requirements of this section and shall make the model placard available for
download on the department's website.
"
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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part III to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
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"
�302A-
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Sex trafficking prevention and response
training.
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(a)
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The department shall provide training for teachers, educational
officers, and school-based behavioral health specialists on the dynamics of sex
trafficking and strategies for prevention and response, including:
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(1)
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Methods used by
sex traffickers to lure children into sex trafficking;
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(2)
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Ways to
identify victims of sex trafficking;
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(3)
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Effects of sex
trafficking on victims' social, mental, and physical health;
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(4)
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Impacts of sex
trafficking on children of different racial and ethic backgrounds, sexual
orientations, and gender identities;
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(5)
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Strategies to
assist in the prevention of child sex trafficking;
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(6)
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Trauma-informed
strategies for responding to victims of sex trafficking;
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(7)
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Informational
resources for victims of sex trafficking;
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(8)
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Information on
victim service providers that provide services to students who have been
identified as victims of sex trafficking or who are at risk of victimization;
and
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(9)
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Information on
the importance of obtaining enthusiastic consent, in the context of dating and
intimate relationships, with respect to preventing sex trafficking and other
forms of sexual violence.
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(b)
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At the beginning of each school year, the
department shall provide teachers, educational officers, and school-based
behavioral health specialists with explanatory information on
department-approved protocols for providing services to identified victims of
sex trafficking.
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(c)
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The department may coordinate and contract
with any state or county department or agency, victim service provider, or any
other expert in the field of sex trafficking prevention and response to carry
out its duties under this section.
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(d)
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As used in this section, "victim service
provider" means any non-governmental organization that provides direct
intervention, including social, medical, mental health, behavioral health,
legal, case management, educational, emergency, or housing services to victims
of sex trafficking.
"
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SECTION 4.
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(a)
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The department of the attorney general shall develop and implement a
series of public education and outreach events on the dynamics of sex
trafficking and the importance of community involvement in sex trafficking
prevention and response efforts.
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The
events shall be held in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and the city and
county of Honolulu, and may include town hall-style events and the staffing of
informational booths or tables at existing community-based events.
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The department shall disseminate information
on:
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(1)
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Vulnerable
populations and risk factors for sex trafficking and commercial sexual
exploitation, including community-level risk factors and society‑level
risk factors;
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(2)
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Specific locations
in each county where confirmed sex trafficking has occurred;
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(3)
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Laws that
criminalize sex trafficking, including penalties faced by convicted sex
traffickers;
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(4)
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Methods used by
sex traffickers to lure victims into sex trafficking;
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(5)
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Ways to identify
victims of sex trafficking;
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(6)
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Effects of sex
trafficking on a victim's social, mental, and physical health;
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(7)
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Adverse impacts of
sex trafficking on victims' families and on communities in which sex
trafficking occurs;
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(8)
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Actions that
community members can take to support sex trafficking prevention and response
efforts;
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(9)
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Resources for
victims of sex trafficking, including the availability of services for victims;
and
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(10)
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State and national
hotlines for victims and witnesses of sex trafficking.
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(b)
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The department of the attorney general may coordinate and contract with
any state or county department of agency, victim service provider, or any other
expert in the field of sex trafficking prevention and response to carry out its
duties under this Act.
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(c)
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As used in this Act, "victim service provider" means any
non-governmental organization that provides direct intervention, including
social, medical, mental health, behavioral health, legal, case management,
educational, emergency, or housing services to victims of sex trafficking.
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SECTION 5.
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There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be necessary for
fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2026-2027 for developing and implementing the public education
and outreach events required by section 4 of this Act.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney
general for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 6.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 7.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DOE; DHS;
AG; Commercial Sexual Exploitation; Sex Trafficking; Prevention and Response;
Appropriation
Description:
Requires
the posting of informational placards on sex trafficking and resources
available to victims, in public buildings and at other specified
locations.
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Requires the Department of
Human Services to develop and make available a model placard.
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Requires the Department of Education to train
teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel on the dynamics of
sex trafficking and strategies for prevention and response.
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Requires and appropriates moneys for the
Department of 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.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.