STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3778

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2455

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2455, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require certain employers to provide administrative leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence;

(2) Expand the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year; and

(3) Prohibit retaliation against employees for exercising rights related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or workplace violence or threat of workplace violence.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO.

Your Committees find that the ability to take leave, whether for medical care, counseling, or legal proceedings, can be a decisive factor in an individual's ability to recover and maintain employment. This measure protects employees from retaliation and enables workers to address their immediate safety and recovery needs for victim's of certain acts of violence, like seeking restraining orders, meeting with law enforcement, or attending court proceedings, without jeopardizing their employment.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2455, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair