STAND. COM. REP. NO. 395

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1145

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1145 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission.

Your Committee finds that this measure will improve access to public spaces, which will allow people with disabilities to more fully participate in daily activities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the definition of "universal changing accommodation";

(2) Inserting a severability clause;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1145, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1145, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair