SB 1312 Hawaii Senate · 2026 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 Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1312_HD1 → SB1312_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates Hawaii's sex trafficking and prostitution laws by clarifying that 'profits' include money used to repay debts, reorganizing legal definitions for better readability, and correcting technical references to the state's penal code. These changes ensure that financial gains derived from prostitution are fully captured regardless of how the money is used, while improving the clarity and consistency of the statutes.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'profits from prostitution' to explicitly include money or property accepted as debt repayment, closing a potential loophole.

TECHNICAL

Restructured and reorganized legal provisions and definitions to enhance readability and update references to the relevant chapter of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Corrected formatting errors and inconsistent language within the statutory text, such as removing redundant brackets and fixing capitalization.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

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 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

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