STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1303-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2503

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require:

(1) 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) Bids for state building construction projects that are submitted after June 30, 2025, to include universal changing accommodations, where feasible and cost effective.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; Disability and Communication Access Board; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Rainbow Family 808; Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that many individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities require assistance when using restroom facilities. However, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers often face challenges in finding safe, hygienic, and accessible spaces during outings or daily activities. This measure is intended to alleviate the burden on persons with disabilities and their families and caregivers by requiring the implementation of universal changing accommodations in all places of public accommodation and state buildings.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Delaying the requirement that all places of public accommodation and state building construction projects provide universal changing accommodations to those establishments constructed after July 31, 2025, so that it occurs after the requirement that bids for state building construction projects include universal changing accommodations;

(2) Inserting a severability clause; and

(3) 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2503, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair