Hawaii House Bill HB2463

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/22
• Refer: 1/28/22

Caption

Relating To The Right To Exit The Sex Trade.

Impact

The implementation of this pilot program will require the Department of Human Services to administer funds aimed at assisting a target number of 250 applicants. Each approved applicant will receive a monthly income of $2,000 for up to a year, which is exempt from state income taxes. This initiative addresses both social and economic challenges faced by individuals involved in sex work, transitioning from a punitive approach towards one that emphasizes compassion and support for recovery.

Summary

House Bill 2463 aims to establish a one-year pilot program in Hawaii that provides guaranteed income to individuals seeking to exit the sex trade, particularly focusing on victims of sex trafficking and those facing economic coercion. The bill highlights the need for support mechanisms that empower marginalized individuals, particularly Native Hawaiian women and sexual and gender minorities, to have the right to leave the sex trade. It recommends offering a basic income to help these individuals achieve economic independence and recovery from the traumas associated with their experiences in the sex trade.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 2463 relate to the societal perceptions of sex work and the advocacy for victim rights versus the criminal justice approach. The bill implicitly critiques mainstream feminist discourse which may prioritize the right to engage in sex work, arguing instead for the right to exit such circumstances. This could ignite debates on moral and ethical grounds regarding the treatment of sex trade participants and the potential stigmatization of victims seeking state support. Concerns may also arise over the practical implementation of the program, including the verification of applicants and safeguarding their anonymity.