STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2189

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.C.R. No. 87

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 Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 87 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AT NO COST IN STATE BUILDINGS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND CONTAIN PUBLIC RESTROOMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Accounting and General Services to provide menstrual products at no cost in state buildings under the jurisdiction of the Department of Accounting and General Services that are open to the public and contain public restrooms.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Judiciary, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, PERIOD., Ma‘i Movement Hawai‘i, ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, and twelve individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that, as used in this measure, period poverty refers to individuals who are unable to buy and access menstrual products due to factors such as financial constraints, lack of menstrual health education, feelings of societal shame or stigma surrounding menstruation, and inadequate access to clean facilities to maintain property hygiene. Your Committee further finds that this measure is intended to address period poverty by helping members of the public access essential hygiene products that they may not otherwise have, thereby providing equitable access to public facilities and reducing barriers at state buildings.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting that the Department of Accounting and General Services maintain signage in all restrooms of those covered public buildings without a gender-neutral restroom where free menstrual products are provided in at least one men's restroom, indicating the location of free menstrual products; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 87, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 87, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair