HI HB689

Establishes safe harbor protections preventing survivors of sexual exploitation from being arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted, or having property subject to civil forfeiture when they seek medical or law enforcement assistance in good faith

Amends Hawaii's prostitution statute (§712-1200), loitering for prostitution statute (§712-1206), and street prostitution statute (§712-1207) to include the safe harbor protections

Defines "seeks medical or law enforcement assistance" as making reports to 911, poison control, medical providers, reproductive health providers, or law enforcement, as well as providing care while awaiting emergency personnel

Cites findings that 64% of sex trafficking victims in Hawaii identified as having at least partial Native Hawaiian ancestry, and that approximately 74,362 potential sex buyers exist in the state

Safe harbor protections do not extend to buyers of sexual services or to other criminal offenses beyond the specific prostitution-related charges