SB2741 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Human Services to establish or contract with a victim service provider to operate and manage a sex trafficking emergency shelter, subject to available funding.

• Exempts compensation received by victim service providers for operating sex trafficking emergency shelters from Hawaii's general excise tax under Chapter 237.

• Limits emergency shelter residence to a maximum of 30 days per victim, with shelter operators determining eligibility and discharge in consultation with appropriate agencies and organizations.

• Allows county mayors to exempt shelter operators from real property taxes, water and sewer development fees, and other county taxes by executive order.

• Defines eligible victims as minors engaging in prostitution, sex trafficking victims, victims of promoting prostitution, and victims of severe forms of trafficking under federal law.