SB 1312 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Summary
Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by clarifying the definition of "profits from prostitution" and making technical and other housekeeping amendments. (HD1)
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1312_HD1 SB1312_SD1 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill clarifies and updates Hawaii's sex trafficking and prostitution laws by redefining key terms, adjusting penalties, and adding protections for victims. It specifically clarifies that 'profits from prostitution' includes money received as debt repayment, restructures definitions for better readability, and creates new offenses for commercial sexual exploitation of minors with stricter penalties.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope by adding new offenses for commercial sexual exploitation of minors and clarifying that law enforcement officers engaging in undercover operations are exempt from prosecution for prostitution-related offenses.
DEFINITION

Redefines 'profits from prostitution' to explicitly include money or property received as reimbursement or repayment of debt, closing a potential legal loophole.

ENFORCEMENT

Adds new offense of commercial sexual exploitation of minors with class B felony penalties and mandatory minimum fines of $5,000.

PENALTIES

Changes prostitution penalties from petty misdemeanor to violation for minors, and sex trafficking from class A felony to include stricter provisions for exploiting minors.

EXEMPTIONS

Adds exemption for law enforcement officers engaging in undercover operations from prosecution for prostitution-related offenses.

REQUIREMENT

Updates definitions of 'advances prostitution' and 'profits from prostitution' to clarify who can be charged and under what circumstances.

TECHNICAL

Restructures and reorganizes statutory provisions for improved readability and updates cross-references to current statute numbers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1212) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
lower
Mar 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; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 19
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 300) in amended form (SD 1).
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House.
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to JDC.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced and passed First Reading.
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
Pending Introduction.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ron Kouchi
Ron Kouchi
DDemocratic
HI
8