STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 517
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1100
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1100 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Update
the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot
Program by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term
"low vision"; and
(2) Clarify the Pilot Program's implementation timeframes.
Your Committee finds that access to
essential services for blind and low vision residents, particularly on the
neighbor islands, remains limited. Act
253, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, established the Neighbor Islands Blind and
Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program to bridge the gaps in services for
blind and low vision residents across the State, particularly focusing on those
living on the neighbor islands. This
measure allows the Pilot Program to continue its efforts to empower blind and
low vision individuals to live more independently and participate fully in
their communities.
Your Committee notes that an appropriation
may be needed for the staff, contracting services, and equipment necessary to
implement the Neighbor Islands Blind and Low Vision Service Pilot Program.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Replacing references to "visually impaired" with the term "low vision" in the preamble of Act 253, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) 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 Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1100, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1100, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,
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____________________________ LISA MARTEN, Chair |
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