HB 689 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

HB 689 establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical care or contact law enforcement. The bill directly affects individuals who have experienced sexual exploitation by shielding them from legal consequences (such as minor criminal charges) when accessing these services. Key provisions require medical providers and law enforcement to prioritize survivor safety and provide support without prosecuting related offenses like drug possession. The bill is currently pending committee review, with a scheduled hearing on February 11, 2025, and would take effect on July 1, 3000, if passed.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB689 → HB689_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Hawaii's prostitution laws to add 'safe harbor' protections for sex trafficking survivors who seek medical or law enforcement help. The changes ensure survivors cannot be arrested, charged, or penalized for seeking assistance, and they can access diversion programs and expungement options. The bill also creates designated zones for street prostitution enforcement while maintaining the safe harbor protections.

Scope change

The bill expands protections to include survivors of sex trafficking who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, while adding specific geographic zones for street prostitution enforcement in designated areas.

ENFORCEMENT

Added safe harbor protections preventing arrest, charges, prosecution, conviction, civil forfeiture, or penalties for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement assistance.

Modified prostitution sentencing to allow for fines, probation, or community service for first-time offenders, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses.

Added designated zones for street prostitution enforcement in Waikiki and other county-designated areas with mandatory 30-day imprisonment or probation with geographic restrictions.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'sexual conduct' and clarified 'public property' and 'Waikiki' boundaries for enforcement purposes.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder or error in the bill text.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 520) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Chun, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors