HR64.DOC

WHEREAS, many jurisdictions on the mainland and in Europe allow customers to bring dogs into restaurants and bars; and

WHEREAS, a recent national poll found that more than ninety per cent of pet owners considered their pets to be members of their families; and

WHEREAS, spending time with pets has been found to relieve stress and anger and to have other positive health benefits; and

WHEREAS, sixty per cent of Oahu households include pets, and dog ownership has substantially increased over the last two decades; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's dog owners seek opportunities to spend quality time with their animals; and

WHEREAS, an important concern for stakeholders is to ensure the safety of service animals if dogs are allowed in restaurants and bars; and

WHEREAS, addressing food safety and health concerns is also of primary importance; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Department of Health is requested to establish the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and the Disability and Communications Access Board is requested to participate in the working group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to invite representatives from the following groups to participate in the working group:

(1) Hawaiian Humane Society;

(2) Humane Society of the United States;

(3) Hawaii Restaurant Association;

(4) Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association;

(5) American Kennel Club; and

(6) A restaurant that currently allows dogs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group is requested to explore strategies and develop recommendations that would allow dogs to be welcomed in participating restaurants and bars while ensuring the health and safety of both humans and animals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and the Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to transmit copies of this Resolution to the groups enumerated in this measure.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Requesting the Director of Health to establish the Dogs in Restaurants and Bars Working Group.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	64
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII