STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1338

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 823

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 823, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase workers' awareness about their employment rights under Hawaii's family leave law by requiring employers to post, and keep posted, notices that clearly specify the rights of employees under the law.

     The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported this measure.  The ILWU Local 142 supported the intent of the bill.  The National Federation of Independent Businesses in Hawaii and General Contractors Association opposed the bill.  The Department of Human Resources Development submitted comments.

     While appreciating concerns that the posting required by this measure will impose an additional administrative burden on business, your Committee believes that the additional burden will be light, and more than offset by the benefits of informing employees about their rights under the family leave law. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion in Conference; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 823, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 823, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair