STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1427

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 794

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition, and seven individuals.

Your Committees find that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five adult residents in the State identifies as having at least one disability that could affect their ability to work. Your Committees further find that although many individuals with a disability are successfully employed, others, especially with intellectual or developmental disabilities, continue to face disparities in the workforce. Your Committees also find that October was designated by the United States Congress as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in 1945 to educate the general public on the issues experienced by workers with disabilities and how employers can be more inclusive in their hiring practices, which has also been recognized in the State through gubernatorial and mayoral proclamations. By codifying October as "Disability Awareness Month: Employment, Enrichment, and Inclusion", this measure solidifies the State's commitment to the creation and maintenance of an inclusive workforce in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Transportation and Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 794, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair