Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2738, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purposes of this measure are:

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Lieutenant Governor, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Na Loio - Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center, and three private individuals.

Your Committee finds that Executive Order 13166, signed by President Clinton, requires meaningful access to federally assisted programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency. Recipients of federal funds must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access and the establishment of the Commission will help to fulfill Hawaii's obligation toward that end.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2738, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.