STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2208

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2208

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2208 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide protections for a victim of domestic violence in rental housing.

     Specifically, this measure allows victims of domestic violence to change the locks on their doors or terminate a lease, without penalty.  Additionally, it provides that landlords may not discriminate based on domestic violence status.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Legal Aid Society of Hawaii; Domestic Violence Action Center; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Hawaii Women Work!; Na Loio, Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Law Center; Oahu VOICES; and one private citizen.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the National Association of Residential Property Managers.  Comments were submitted by Hawaii Association of REALTORS.

     Your Committee finds that as being able to change locks on a home or terminate a lease can be critical in ensuring safety for a victim of domestic violence, this measure supports the State's interest in providing protection for domestic violence victims.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2208 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair