This bill if passed will nuke Hawaii back to the grass skirt age.
HONOLULU -- fromn www.kitv.com - The intent of Senate Bill 2045 is to toughen up prostitution laws that some said don't adequately address the problem of sexual human trafficking, a problem that is only getting worse in Hawaii.
But critics said the bill threatens the adult entertainment industry.
"If you read what's written there the bill does, in fact, create felonies out of what are legal activities," said Tracy Ryan, executive director of Harm Reduction Hawaii.
S.B. 2045 states a person commits the offense of sexual human trafficking if they knowingly profit from sexually explicit activity which is defined as an erotic or nude massager or dancer, and entices or transports any prostituted person.
Ryan said that would make legal strip clubs who post want ads in violation, or anyone who gives a ride to a strip club employee.
"Transportation could be any distance. So anybody giving a ride home from work could make you a felon," said Ryan.
"Tourists are aware of it, more social services are aware of it, even patrol officers are becoming aware of it. But nobody knows what to do," said Kathryn Xian, of the Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery.
Xian said the Honolulu Police Department in 2008 saw 15 children a month as high risk victims for human trafficking. She said these victims are not the same as prostitutes.
"Sex trafficking victims are coerced, enticed, manipulated, forced into sexual slavery," said Xian.
S.B. 2045 defines and targets the trafficker and makes it a felony if convicted.
"This bill would allow law enforcement, for one, an easier time to identify victims as victims, rather than prostitutes or if they're underage, as truants or juvenile delinquents," said Xian.
Those against the bill said instead of longer sentences for accused pimps, the solution is more funding toward improving social services.
The city prosecutor is on the record against the bill, saying laws are already on the books to address this problem.
"All that we can assume is that they have a very narrow view of what the problem is on the streets," said Xian.
Xian said in the bill, the definition of a sexual human trafficker is very specific. She said if the governor does veto the measure, she plans to raise the issue again next legislative session.
