STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1273

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 610

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 610 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Disability and Communication Access Board, Aloha State Association of the Deaf, and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that American Sign Language enables the brain to process linguistic information through the eyes and the shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements. Your Committee further finds that American Sign Language is the backbone of communication for the American Deaf Culture and recognizing the important contributions of American Sign Language will increase public awareness and understanding of the Deaf community.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 610 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts & International Affairs,

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair