Hawaii legislators are considering a bill that would ban sex trafficking and treat people who are forced into prostitution as victims instead of criminals.

Some law enforcement departments in Hawaii are against the proposal because it could change the way prosecutors catch pimps, which is often by coercing an accused prostitute to testify against a pimp by offering to drop the charges against the prostitute.

"It’s a higher burden of proof, and it’s going to be more difficult to work the cases," Hono­lulu police Capt. Jason Kawa­­bata told the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.

Kawabata’s concerns were echoed by Hono­­lulu Prosecutor Keith Kane­­shiro, who said his department is already prosecuting pimps for promoting prostitution and has gone after 22 defendants in the past year.

The debate has split the state’s top prosecutors, with those from Kauai and Hawaii island supporting the bill.

"Really what we’re looking at is a fundamental shift in the way we approach these cases. And are we going to have this be a victim-centered model?" said Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar. "Working with a victim and keeping them in custody as a hammer — there’s debate as to how ethical it is."

The bill also would enable prosecutors to use wiretapping, adding a tool to their arsenal.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to make a decision on the bill Tuesday afternoon.