STAND. COM. REP. NO.  15

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1497

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1497 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide housing protections for victims of domestic violence by:

(1)  Prohibiting landlords from refusing to rent to, or evicting a tenant solely based upon the person's status as a victim of domestic violence; and

(2)  Allowing a victim of domestic violence to terminate a rental agreement without penalty, subject to certain provisions.

     The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Association of Realtors and the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center submitted comments.

     Should the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce decide to take up this measure, your Committee recommends that the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu work with the Hawaii Association of Realtors to draft language for a proposed H.D. 1, addressing concerns of specificity and applicability.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1497 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair