STAND. COM. REP. NO.  35-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1621

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1621 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide equal treatment to all individuals regardless of income source or housing status by prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations based on homelessness, receipt of public assistance, or receipt of unemployment benefits.

The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Community Alliance of Mental Health, United Self Help, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission commented on this bill.

     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. 1621 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair