STAND. COM. REP. NO. 959

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 793

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 793, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the exemption of individuals with disabilities from the State's minimum wage requirements.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Amends the Hawaii Procurement Code's definition of "qualified community rehabilitation program" by:

(A) Repealing certain certification requirements; and

(B) Requiring that the program maintain a certain disabled-to-non-disabled employee ratio; and

(2) Repeals the provision allowing for sub-minimum wage payments to individuals with disabilities.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Imua Alliance, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, PHOCUSED, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that sub-minimum wage laws for workers with disabilities are outdated and no longer serve the purpose for which the laws were originally enacted. Accordingly, your Committee believes that it is appropriate to end the practice of paying wages that are lower than the applicable minimum wage to individuals with disabilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 793, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair