STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1073-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: S.B. No. 2503
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Require all places of public accommodation and state building construction projects constructed after December 31, 2024, to provide universal changing accommodations that are equally accessible regardless of gender; and
(2) Require state building construction projects
that are bid on after June 30, 2025, to include universal changing
accommodations that are equally accessible regardless of gender, under certain
conditions.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Rainbow Family 808; Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission.
Your Committee finds that families and
caregivers of individuals with disabilities often face challenges in finding
accessible spaces during outings or daily activities. Universal changing accommodations ensure that
caregivers of individuals with disabilities and adults with special needs have
a safe and hygienic space to attend to their personal care needs. By making universal changing accommodations
more accessible, this measure promotes the integration of individuals with
disabilities into public spaces, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee notes its concerns related to the costs associated with providing universal changing accommodations in places of public accommodation; however your Committee believes this measure provides adequate flexibility.
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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,
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____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair |
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