STAND. COM. REP. NO. 561

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 229

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 229 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make it unlawful to discriminate against domestic abuse victims in certain employment-related situations.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i; and Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

     Your Committee recognizes the serious and devastating impact that domestic violence has on a women's physical and emotional health and financial security.  Domestic abuse takes a heavy toll on victims and their employers, including increased security and safety concerns, reduced productivity, and increased health care costs.  As a result, victims of domestic abuse can lose their jobs at a time when employment and financial independence are critical.

     Your Committee finds that a domestic abuse victim is vulnerable to being rejected for employment or fired from employment when the victim's employer learns of the abuse.  The employer may act on outdated, but commonly held, notions about domestic abuse victims.  All too often, domestic violence can jeopardize a survivor's ability to keep and maintain a job because of discrimination and fear.  It is not uncommon for domestic violence victims to be fired, demoted, suspended, or forced to quit their jobs after their employers learn of the domestic abuse.  Your Committee finds that this measure provides protection to domestic abuse victims at a pivotal point in their recovery.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to allow for further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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 S.B. No. 229, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 229, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair