STAND. COM. REP. NO. 915

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 389

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 389 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all places of public accommodation and state building construction constructed after December 31, 2023, to provide universal changing accommodations that are equally accessible to men and women.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii; Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition; Rainbow Family 808.com Inc.; and six individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission.

Your Committees find that families and caregivers of people with disabilities who require changing facilities want to participate in as many activities and outings as possible. However, extensive planning and consideration must be given to their outings, including daily activities, to ensure accessible spaces and disability-friendly rest areas. Implementation of universal changing accommodations increase the number of spaces families and caregivers can incorporate into daily outings or trips. This measure provides equity for all individuals accessing public spaces by providing universal, safe, and dignified accommodations.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 389, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 389, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair