SB2757 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 712-1202 to expand the definition of sex trafficking to include persons over 18 who offer, agree to provide, or provide anything of value to engage in sexual conduct with a minor, including solicitation of minors for sex in return for compensation.

• Elevates commercial sexual exploitation of minors to a class A felony under the sex trafficking statute, replacing the separate class B felony offense under section 712-1209.1, which is repealed.

• Establishes strict liability for the minor status of victims in sex trafficking cases and provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense.

• Includes exceptions for law enforcement members conducting undercover operations, with prohibitions on actual sexual contact, penetration, or abuse.

• Aligns Hawaii law with federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 1591 by criminalizing the solicitation of minors for sexual activity as trafficking; effective July 1, 3000.