# Hawaii HB 609: RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

Hawaii HB 609, RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) House bill sponsored by Kanani Souza (Republican); status first reading, last action 2025-01-21 (Introduced and Pass First Reading.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB609-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 609
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.
- Status: first reading
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-01-21, Introduced and Pass First Reading.
- Sponsor: Kanani Souza (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Subjects: DOE, DHS, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Sex Trafficking, Prevention and Response, Appropriation, HSH/EDN, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Requires the posting of informational placards on sex trafficking and resources available to victims, in public buildings and at other specified locations. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and make available a model placard. Requires the Department of Education to train teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel on the dynamics of sex trafficking and strategies for prevention and response. Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of the Attorney General to develop and implement public education and outreach events on the dynamics of sex trafficking and the importance of community involvement in prevention and response efforts.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Kanani Souza (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Elle Cochran (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Kim Coco Iwamoto (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Tyson K. Miyake (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-21: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2025-01-21: Referred to HSH/EDN, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2 (House)
- 2025-01-17: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB609_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB609_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB609_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB609_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [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-HB609-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).