STAND. COM. REP. NO.  165

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 620

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 620 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to broaden the applicability of the state family leave law.

     Specifically, the measure adds addressing issues related to impending or active military deployment of an employee's child, spouse, reciprocal beneficiary, or parent as an appropriate use of family leave.  In addition, it defines the term "military deployment."

     The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii National Guard Association, the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association, and the National Guard Association of Hawaii Insurance Trust testified in support of the measure.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the intent of the measure.  The Department of Human Resources Development submitted comments.

     Your Committees recognize that members of our armed services often face disruption in their personal and professional lives when called to active duty, whether on peacekeeping missions or in hostile combat arenas.  In carrying out their commitment to serve our nation, service members often make great sacrifices.  Your Committees believe that authorizing the use of family leave to deal with issues related to deployment will assist military families during this disruptive time in their lives.  Your Committees recognize and express appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of all members of our military services and hope that this measure will assist them and their families. 

     Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended the measure by changing the effective date from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2015, to promote further discussion on this important issue.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 620, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 620, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________ ALEX M. SONSON, Chair

____________________________ CINDY EVANS, Chair