RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hawaii residents use the telephone, the Internet, and other electronic means for the general purpose of inbound and outbound communications; and

WHEREAS, the nature of the communications often requires data sharing, including but not limited to, personal information; and

WHEREAS, as a rule, Hawaii consumers contact or are contacted by, electronically or otherwise, individuals and organizations interested in securing personal data, including but not limited to financial records, family history, purchases, and communications services; and

WHEREAS, firms are not required to disclose where the call centers either initiating or receiving the inquires are located; and

WHEREAS, individuals and organizations involved in call center work could be located in foreign countries that might have data-sharing agreements with nations or other entities supporting terrorism and targeting the sovereignty and national security of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii recognizes that call centers located within the State's boundaries are of positive and constructive economic and social benefit for all the people of the State of Hawaii and the United States of America, and that the operations of the call centers are subject to the laws of the State of Hawaii and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, continued expansion and growth of the Hawaii call center industry enables positive economic diversification for Hawaii, protects consumers interfacing with the call centers, and supports the safety and security of the State of Hawaii and the United States of America; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that all individuals and organizations involved with telecommunications and call centers are respectfully urged to initiate customer right-to-know procedures regarding all inbound and outbound communications; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is directed to review pending customer rights practices and draft legislation mandating that call centers must accurately disclose their location to any customer who inquires; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every effort be made to ensure individuals' personal data and national security interests are protected by the call center industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Governor of the State of Hawaii, state Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Legislative Reference Bureau, state Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Call Center Association, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Media Council.

Report Title:

Right to Know