STAND. COM. REP. NO. 341

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 537

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 537 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to formally recognize American Sign Language as a fully developed, autonomous, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary language of many persons who are deaf or hard of hearing in the United States, including residents of Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that, although ASL is a fully developed, autonomous, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage, it was erroneously viewed for many years as a pantomime and a poor substitute for spoken speech. Your Committee additionally finds that recognizing ASL as a language will create more equitable access in numerous areas, including employment, public awareness, and civic participation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 537 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair