STAND. COM. REP. NO.  617

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 561

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 561, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOCIAL MEDIA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect the privacy interests of employees and potential employees by prohibiting employers from requiring or requesting access to personal social media accounts, except to investigate allegations of sexual, racial, or other harassment in the workplace.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported the intent of the measure and recommended an amendment.  The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 561, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair