Hawaii-2020-SB1040-Introduced

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1040
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
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 the State is in need of increased data about sex trafficking. At the present time, there is neither a method for statewide data collection, nor a clear mandate for the collection, reporting, and analysis of important metrics of sex trafficking.

The legislature notes that in fiscal year 2016-2017, a total of eighty-three cases of sex trafficking were reported to the department of human services' child trafficking hotline. The youngest victim was six years old. No other prevalence data on victims are readily available, and both the State and non-state actors struggle to provide adequate care, shelter, and support to the current number of sex trafficking victims in the State.

The legislature notes that men, boys, and transgender individuals are victimized by sex trafficking, but the majority of victims are cisgender women and girls. For example, cisgender girls accounted for ninety-eight per cent of minor victims in all sex trafficking cases in the country from 2010 to 2015. Due to the enduringly gendered nature of the crime, the state commission on the status of women produced a report that points to sex trafficking as a significant problem in Hawaii. The commission also found that there is a larger incentive to force women and youth into sex trafficking in the State than in major American cities.

The purpose of this Act is to improve the State's efforts to stop sex trafficking by requiring the state commission on the status of women to maintain a database for information collection and retrieval processes necessary for policy guidance, training, legislative reporting, and response and prevention programs.

SECTION 2. Chapter 367, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§367- Sex trafficking database; purpose; reports. The commission shall maintain a database on sex trafficking. The purpose of the database shall be to:

(1) Collect and maintain relevant statewide sex trafficking data; provided that all data on the database shall be made accessible to each governmental entity and non-confidential data may be made accessible to the general public as determined appropriate by the administrator; and

(2) Annually review data collection practices within government to ensure agencies are providing data pursuant to this section.

(b) The commission's database shall include statistical data on the:

(1) Total number of all sex trafficking cases in Hawaii reported to national and local trafficking hotlines;

(2) Total number of sex trafficking cases reported to and handled by governmental agencies and private organizations receiving state funding;

(3) Total number of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions under sections 712-1200(1)(b) and 712-1202;

(4) The age range and average age of victims, offenders, and traffickers;

(5) The sex and gender identity of victims, offenders, and traffickers;

(6) The race and ethnicity of victims, offenders, and traffickers;

(7) The total number of native Hawaiian victims;

(8) The total number of immigrant victims; and

(9) The total amount of annual federal and state funds available to address sex trafficking.

(c) The commission shall submit a report to the legislature on the sex trafficking statistics, and any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2021, and every year thereafter.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "sex trafficking" includes offenses under sections 712-1200(1)(b) and 712-1202."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________