HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2573

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that a disproportionately low number of the sex trafficking offenses that occur in the State are prosecuted in court.  This is due in significant part to the fact that most sex trafficking victims delay reporting the crimes committed against them, and many do not report the crimes at all.  Victims often feel complicit in the offense or carry a sense of guilt and shame.  Most victims delay their reports until after they have been removed from their traffickers and the corresponding living conditions, and many undergo trauma-informed care and counseling before they speak out.

     The legislature believes that in the interest of aiding victims who seek justice, prosecutors should have the power to pursue a criminal case for sex trafficking, regardless of when the offense was committed.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act it to authorize a prosecution for sex trafficking to be commenced at any time.

     SECTION 2.  Section 701-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (1) to read as follows:

     "(1)  A prosecution for murder, murder in the first and second degrees, attempted murder, and attempted murder in the first and second degrees, criminal conspiracy to commit murder in any degree, criminal solicitation to commit murder in any degree, sexual assault in the first and second degrees, sex trafficking, and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of fourteen years may be commenced at any time."

     SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Sex Trafficking; Statute of Limitations; Prosecution

 

Description:

Authorizes a prosecution for sex trafficking to be commenced at any time.

 

 

 

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