Senator Roz Baker can pinpoint the defining moment that sparked her interest in government policy. It started as a college student involved in the movement to lower the voting age to 18. Witnessing the impact of policy change is what inspired her to serve in public office.

A Maui legislator for over 25 years, Roz represents the 6th Senate District (South and West Maui) in the Hawai‘i State Legislature. She is currently the Chair of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee. A long-time advocate for issues that affect the quality of life for residents of Hawai‘i, Roz has successfully introduced numerous measures addressing such areas as access to health care, quality public education, workplace equality, equal rights for all, and the prevention of domestic violence and sex assault. As the Senate's Consumer Protection chair, she has championed mortgage foreclosure reforms as well as insurance reform. As Senate Health Chair, she was pivotal in developing health policy for the state - championing Hawai‘i's Clean Indoor Air Act; leading Hawai‘i to become the first state in the nation to raise the age to purchase tobacco products to 21; championing services for kupuna and addressing caregiver burnout. She also has a special interest in promoting sustainable economic development focusing on green industries with careers in science, technology, engineering and math and an abiding concern on preserving the health and beauty of Hawai‘i's natural resources and Hawai‘i's host culture. From 2007-2008, Senator Baker served as Chair of Ways and Means, crafting a balanced two-year biennium budget and helping pilot the Senate's successful paperless project - moving the Senate and committee processes into the digital age.

Senator Baker has been recognized for her leadership in health policy by organizations including the American Cancer Society (Hawai‘i-Pacific and nationally), Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.

Besides her work on State legislative committees, Roz has also served on several national committees including the Subcommittee on Pediatric Emergency Care of the Institute for Medicine. As a cancer survivor, Roz has been a longtime volunteer with the American Cancer Society.

Prior to moving to Hawai‘i in 1980, Roz was a lobbyist for the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University at San Marcos) with a BA in political science and speech and a secondary teaching certificate. She did her postgraduate studies at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette (now University of Louisiana Lafayette).