STAND. COM. REP. NO. 875-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1775

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1775, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Define the scope and application of state laws prohibiting discrimination in state educational programs and activities and establish requirements with which entities that have state education programs or activities, or that receive state funding for educational programs or activities, must comply;

(2) Require annual reporting to the Legislature on the number and types of discrimination cases received by the University of Hawaii, Department of Education, and public charter schools and other relevant information; and

(3) Establish positions and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii, Department of Education, and public charter schools to carry out the purposes of this measure.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, State Public Charter School Commission, Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates-Hawai‘i, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Education, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, American Association of University Women of Hawaii, Hawaii Women's Coalition, Hawai'i State Democratic Women's Caucus, and nine individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1775, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair