STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1327

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 989

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 989 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow public employees to donate accumulated sick leave credits, in addition to vacation credits, to assist other employees who are on extended leave because of serious personal illness or injury.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the United Public Workers, and a concerned individual.  The Department of Health, Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Human Resources of the City & County of Honolulu, and Department of Human Resources of the County of Hawaii submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Judiciary offered comments in support of the intent but expressing concerns.

     Your Committee finds it appropriate to authorize one employee to donate a portion of the employee's accumulated sick leave to another employee, as a humane and compassionate act, to alleviate the stress and hardship occasioned by a serious illness or injury.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report,

your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 989, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair