STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1726-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.R. No. 140

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Human Services, to which was referred H.R. No. 140 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I TO REVIEW AND UPDATE ITS TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES AND ACCESS FOR THE DEAF, INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING DISABILITIES, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH SPEECH DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission and the Disability and Communication Access Board, to review existing and emerging telecommunications equipment, services, and policies to ensure continued accessibility and usability for individuals who are deaf or who have a hearing or speech disability and identify any areas where accessibility and usability can be improved.

The Disability and Communication Access Board and two individuals supported this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Further requesting the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Disability and Communication Access Board, to study the feasibility of installing hearing loop technology in the State Capitol, and include the costs of installation and an installation schedule in its study; 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 Health & Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 140, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 140, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair