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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
95 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE LGBTQ+ COMMISSION AND HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO COLLABORATE AND CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES AND RECOMMEND AMENDMENTS TO INCORPORATE GENDER-NEUTRAL TERMINOLOGY.
WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii is committed to fostering inclusivity, equality, and respect for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression; and
WHEREAS, many existing statutes within the Hawaii Revised Statutes contain binary, gendered language that may not reflect the diverse identities of Hawaii's residents; and
WHEREAS, the use of gender-neutral language in legislation promotes inclusivity and ensures that all individuals are equally recognized and protected under state law; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Hawaii State Legislature passed marriage equality, ensuring that same-sex couples have the right to marry, and the rest of the Hawaii Revised Statutes should reflect this legal recognition when addressing married couples; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Hawaii State Legislature expanded gender markers from the false narrative of the gender binary that utilizes "F" for female and "M" for male on state identification cards and driver's licenses; and
WHEREAS, now, forms of state identification also include the marker "X" for those who do not identify within the gender binary; and
WHEREAS, other jurisdictions have undertaken similar efforts to modernize statutory language to be more inclusive, and Hawaii should also ensure that state laws reflect the values of respect and aloha for all; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women are requested to collaborate and conduct a comprehensive review of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and recommend amendments to incorporate gender-neutral terminology; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women are requested to:
(1) Draft recommended legislation to incorporate gender-neutral terminology in the Hawaii Revised Statutes;
(2) Draft a recommendation for bill review to ensure future legislation incorporates gender-neutral terminology; and
(3) Submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation containing the suggested statutory amendments, to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to assist the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women in fulfilling these endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women are requested to engage with civil rights experts that specialize in gender identity and non-binary issues, such as the Lambda Law Student Association, in fulfilling these endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Chairperson of the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Chairperson of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; and Chair of the Lambda Law Student Association at the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law.
Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Inclusive Language; Gender-Neutral Terminology; Report