STAND. COM. REP. NO. 352-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2177

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2177 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENSTRUAL EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the availability of free menstrual products being available at all University of Hawaii campuses, including community colleges and education centers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities; a member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission; Pan Pacific Association; Zen Den Midwifery; Midwives Alliance of Hawaiʻi; Breastfeeding Hawaiʻi; American Association of University Women; Hawaiʻi Women's Coalition; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi; PERIOD Inc.; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that a lack of access to menstrual products is a barrier to education. This measure will help to alleviate academic disruptions for individuals who experience period poverty.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Higher Education & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2177, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2177, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology,

____________________________

AMY A. PERRUSO, Chair