SB292 Summary

• Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, exempting them from arrest, prosecution, or conviction for prostitution-related offenses if probable cause was gained through seeking such assistance.

• Defines "seeks medical or law enforcement assistance" to include reporting to 911, poison control, medical providers, reproductive health providers, law enforcement agencies, or providing care while awaiting emergency personnel.

• Applies safe harbor protections to prostitution offenses under HRS §712-1200, loitering for prostitution under §712-1206, and street prostitution in designated areas under §712-1207.

• Changes prostitution offense classification for minors to a violation rather than petty misdemeanor and subjects minors to family court jurisdiction instead of criminal court.

• Excludes sex buyers who pay for sexual conduct from safe harbor protections in street prostitution designated areas, allowing continued prosecution of those who solicit.