Women’s caucus proposes program to curb human trafficking

Creating a Human Trafficking Prevention Program and extending the time to file a civil action for childhood sexual abuse are among the proposals in the bipartisan Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus package this session.

The caucus is dedicating this year’s legislative package to retired Maui state Sen. and Women’s Legislative Caucus CoConvener Roz Baker.

“Our former colleague Roz Baker was a champion for women’s rights and a staunch advocate for our caucus here at the Legislature for over two decades,” Sen. Lynn DeCoite, who represents East Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, said in a news release Wednesday after the caucus announced its package of bills. “We look forward to continuing her legacy as we aim to implement policy that improves the quality of life for all women and families.”

This year’s package includes the following five bills and one resolution:

● House Bill 579/Senate Bill 235, which would establish a Human Trafficking Prevention Program in the Attorney General’s office and require reporting on commercial sexual exploitation of children.

● HB 580/SB 236, which would expand the victim-counselor privilege under the Hawaii rules of evidence to include confidential advocates employed by the University of Hawaii.

● HB 581/SB 237, which would require custody evaluators to complete a domestic violence training course every three years.

● HB 582/SB 238, which would extend the time to file a civil action for childhood sexual abuse to age 50 and allow the court to order a party to undergo traumainformed training.

● HB 583/SB239, which would establish a child care accreditation program within the Department of Human Services and extend the deadline for the Preschool Open Doors Program for providers to become accredited.

● House Concurrent Resolution 7, which requests the DHS Med-QUEST Division to expand types of providers allowed to provide lactation consultant services.

“I am grateful to the WLC members and community advocates who came together to work on these measures that will increase the protection and safety of women and children in our state,” said Oahu Rep. Linda Ichiyama. “Ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children remains one of our top priorities. I urge my colleagues to listen to the community voices and support these important measures in the upcoming session.”

The caucus co-convenors for 2023-24 are DeCoite, Ichiyama, Oahu Sen. Michelle Kidani and Oahu Rep. Lauren Matsumoto.

In the state Legislature, there are 19 women representatives out of 51 members and eight women senators out of 25 members.

To track specific measures or tune in to hearings, visit capitol.hawaii.gov.