STAND. COM. REP. NO. 980-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2420

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2420, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Specifically, this measure:

(1) Clarifies the intent for a state law counterpart for disability discrimination in federally-funded programs and services; and

(2) Excludes jurisdiction over programs or activities that are covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a long history of enacting state civil rights protections that complement and provide stronger protections than federal law. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii's civil rights laws, including those analogous to federal law, are critically important because the State's civil rights values and priorities may not match federal interpretations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2420, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2420, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair