STAND. COM. REP. NO. 759

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 867

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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 867, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require, by June 30, 2030, all playgrounds located in state parks and on public school grounds to have a minimal set of accessible recreational playground equipment; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Education to purchase and install accessible recreational playground equipment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education; Department of Budget and Finance; and Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of State Parks.

Your Committee finds that the lack of disability-compatible equipment in Department of Education playgrounds and state parks and playgrounds can have a negative impact on physically disabled youth in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that installing accessible recreational playground equipment in playgrounds will enhance the inclusion of physically disabled youth in important socialization activities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 867, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair