STAND. COM. REP. NO. 990

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 794

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISABILITY AWARENESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate the month of October as "Disability Awareness Month: Employment, Enrichment, and Inclusion" in recognition of the employment challenges and successes of persons with disabilities in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, CARES, and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that nearly forty percent of the sixty-six thousand working-age people with disabilities in the State are employed. Your Committee further finds that designating October as "Disability Awareness Month: Employment, Enrichment, and Inclusion", as proposed by this measure, would raise awareness of employment challenges and obstacles for persons with disabilities, while celebrating these workers' achievements and contributions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair