STAND. COM. REP. NO. 14

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 312

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 312 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to promote awareness and emphasize the importance of language access for state services by designating the month of September as "language access month."

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii is rich with cultural diversity.  However, with this diversity comes language barriers for foreign-born residents who are not fluent in the English language.  This measure serves to celebrate the efforts Hawaii has taken to ensure that all residents have equal access to state programs, activities, and services, regardless of their English proficiency.  This measure designates the month of September as "language access month" to acknowledge and raise awareness of such efforts; encourage the continued provision of language access services; and honor Hawaii's diversity. 

     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 S.B. No. 312 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair