HI SB2187

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 712-1202 to include "coercion" as a means of committing the offense of sex trafficking, alongside existing methods of force, threat, fraud, and intimidation.

Defines "coercion" to include threats of serious harm or physical restraint against any person, schemes intended to make a person believe failure to act would result in serious harm, and abuse or threatened abuse of legal process.

Clarifies that "fraud" means making material false statements, misstatements, or omissions in the context of sex trafficking offenses.

Establishes that prosecution for sex trafficking involving a minor only requires proving the defendant acted negligently regarding the victim's age.

Takes effect upon approval with no retroactive application to rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed before the effective date.