HAWAIʻI ISLAND SENATOR CELEBRATES MAJOR WINS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH PROTECTION

PUNA, HAWAIʻI – Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura (District 2 – Puna) today recognized the passage of three significant bills during the 2025 legislative session, aimed at strengthening protections and expanding support for vulnerable youth across the state. SB 292, SB 951, and HB 613 focus on accountability, safety, and access to essential services. 

“These bills reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi’s most vulnerable keiki,” said Senator San Buenaventura, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS). “This session, we made it a priority to make sure that young people in crisis are met with compassion, support, and real opportunities to heal and thrive.” 

The three measures include: 

·                SB 292 – establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation, shielding them from prosecution for related offenses when seeking medical or law enforcement help. 

·                SB 951 – strengthens child abuse reporting protocols by requiring the disclosure of military affiliation and coordination with appropriate military authorities. 

·                HB 613 – creates a Safe Spaces for Youth Program under the Office of Youth Services, providing shelters and support for unaccompanied homeless youth across all counties. 

All three bills passed with strong legislative support and are seen as vital steps toward addressing youth homelessness, exploitation, and gaps in child welfare oversight. They now await the Governor’s signature. 

For a PDF version of this news release, CLICK HERE.