STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2955

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2306

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2306 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROOF OF DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make consistent the types of documents accepted as proof of domestic or sexual violence victim status.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Women's Coalition, Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Action Center, Parents and Children Together, AAUW-Hawaii, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from CTIA.

Your Committee finds that the State has enacted certain laws to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence, such as statutes that provide for early termination of a shared cell phone contract or rental agreement by victims. Your Committee also finds that when victims attempt to obtain assistance under these laws, they must show proof of their victim status. Existing laws are inconsistent as to what types of documents are acceptable as proof of domestic or sexual violence victim status, although the substance of the requirements are similar. As a result, these laws may be perceived as complicated or confusing and victims may be discouraged from trying to seek assistance pursuant to them. This measure brings consistency to these laws by providing the same type of documents be accepted as proof of domestic or sexual violence victim status under the varying laws.

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 S.B. No. 2306 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair