STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2581

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2503

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2503 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 constructed after December 31, 2024, and state building construction completed after December 31, 2024, to provide universal changing accommodations that are equally accessible regardless of gender.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, IATSE 665, and four individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Judiciary, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, and the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System.

Your Committees find that accessible facilities are essential for ensuring the dignity and independence of individuals with disabilities. Your Committees further find that families and caregivers of individuals with disabilities often face challenges in finding accessible spaces during outings or daily activities, requiring them to meticulously plan their routes to include disability-friendly rest areas that offer safe and dignified toileting options. By requiring new public accommodations and state buildings to provide universal changing accommodations, this measure will promote the integration of individuals with disabilities into public spaces, foster a sense of inclusion and belonging, and alleviate the burden on families and caregivers, thereby enabling them to participate more fully in various social activities and outings.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring state building construction projects that are bid after June 30, 2025, to include universal changing accommodations where feasible and cost effective, rather than requiring all state building construction constructed after December 31, 2024, to include universal changing accommodations; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2503, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Government Operations,

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair