STAND. COM. REP. NO.  710-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2639

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2639 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require a wireless telecommunications service provider who receives an opt-out request from a victim of domestic abuse to either transfer to the victim the billing authority and all rights to the shared wireless plan or remove the victim from the shared wireless plan and assign the victim a substitute telephone number, without charge, penalty, or fee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kauai.

     Your Committee finds that unlike in previous years, a broad consensus among the community now exists for this issue and, in particular, the language of this measure.  Your Committee further finds that victims of domestic abuse often find themselves struggling to escape their abusive situations.  Access to an independent wireless phone and service, along with a voice mailbox, can help victims rebuild their lives by providing them the means to communicate with family, friends, agency and shelter support staff, and current or prospective employers.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2639 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair