STAND. COM. REP. NO.  138

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 744

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 744 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT BIAS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to more fully protect students in the State by expanding the prohibition against student bias, in educational and recreational programs and activities that receive state or county funds or use state or county facilities, to include race, religion, and sexual orientation.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii supported this measure.  Imua Alliance supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of Education opposed this measure.

     Your Committee acknowledges and appreciates testimony received suggesting that the language in this measure be expanded to include additional protected classes recognized under state and federal law.  Your Committee feels, however, that this determination lies outside of its jurisdiction and respectfully requests the Committee on Judiciary to consider this issue should it choose to hear this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 744 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 Education,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair