# Hawaii HB 2251: RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Hawaii HB 2251, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-30 (Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2251-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 2251
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-26
- Last action: 2026-01-30, Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5
- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Penal Code, Offenses Against Public Health and Morals, Sex Trafficking, Promoting Prostitution, JHA
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by refining the definition of "profits from prostitution," establishing an affirmative defense to these offenses for certain lawful transactions, and making technical and other housekeeping amendments.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-01-30: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5 (House)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-26: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2251_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2251_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2251_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2251_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2251-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).