STAND. COM. REP. NO.  698

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 678

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 678 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend Hawaii's family leave statutes to:

     (1)  Permit an employee to take family leave to seek safety, medical attention, or victim services related to domestic or sexual violence against the employee or the employee's minor child; and

     (2)  Specify certification and confidentiality requirements.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Children's Action Network, and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in opposition.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Hawaii Women's Coalition provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has concerns regarding the title of this measure because this measure applies to leave taken for domestic or sexual violence.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 678, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 678, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair