If enacted, HB 747 will amend Chapter 712 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, explicitly criminalizing the importation, sale, or possession of childlike sex dolls. It categorizes the possession of ten or fewer dolls as a class C felony, while possession of more than ten increases the offense to a class B felony. This legislative measure reflects a growing movement in various jurisdictions to address the concerns over such dolls and their potential link to increased rates of childhood sexual exploitation.
Summary
House Bill 747 addresses the criminal implications surrounding the possession, sale, and importation of childlike sex dolls, categorizing such actions as serious felonies. The bill stems from concerns that the availability of these dolls facilitates the exploitation and objectification of minors, often linking possession to wider patterns of child abuse and exploitation. Lawmakers have cited research indicating that contact with such dolls can reinforce harmful thoughts and possibly lead individuals to seek out real children for sexual activities.
Contention
Debate around this bill may center on the balance between protecting children from exploitation and the implications of creating new criminal offenses. Critics might argue that focusing on the dolls could distract from more systemic issues of child abuse and exploitation, while proponents stress the need for clear legal consequences for behaviors that can lead to real-world harm. Given the serious context of the bill, discussions around it are likely to raise significant ethical and legal questions regarding rights and protections.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.