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,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair