STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3217

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 519

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 519, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Disability and Communication Access Board

G.M. No. 519

CHARLOTTE TOWNSEND, for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Charlotte Townsend for service on the Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ms. Townsend from the Disability and Communication Access Board and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Townsend's experience working with and for people with disabilities, commitment to public service, and dedication to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access and opportunities as persons without disabilities, qualify her for appointment to the Disability and Communication Access Board. Ms. Townsend most recently served as the vice president of Paratransit Services for Oahu Transit Services. Prior to that, Ms. Townsend served as the program and policy development supervisor for the Disability and Communication Access Board and as vice president and director of program services for Abilities Unlimited, an organization dedicated to providing employment and community based services to adults with developmental disabilities. Your Committee notes that Ms. Townsend also serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for Very Special Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Board of Directors for the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Services. Ms. Townsend earned a Bachelor's degree from Whittier College and Master's degree in career and rehabilitation counseling from the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee further finds that Ms. Townsend would fill a position on the Board as a person with a mobility disability as a wheelchair user. Ms. Townsend's service on the Board would also fulfill the requirement that some representatives possess knowledge in areas for which the Disability and Communication Access Board has rulemaking authority. Your Committee notes that Ms. Townsend previously served as the program and policy development supervisor for the Disability and Communication Access Board and therefore is already familiar with its work.

Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Townsend be appointed to the Disability and Communication Access Board based on her experience working with and for persons with disabilities and commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access and opportunities as persons without disabilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair