STAND. COM. REP. NO. 313-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1577

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 1577 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO 911 SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the 911 Board to establish, implement, and maintain a statewide emergency safety profile system that allows residents to voluntarily create and manage secure personal profiles containing information relevant to emergency response efforts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Pilina Health Resources Inc.; Hawaiʻi Self-Advocacy Advisory Council; and eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health; 911 Board; and Disability and Communication Access Board.

Your Committee finds that this measure improves emergency response by enabling 911 dispatchers and first responders to access important personal, medical, and accessibility information at the time of an emergency call so that responders are aware of an individual's mobility needs, communication methods, medical conditions, or support requirements before arriving on scene. By making personally-relevant, voluntarily-provided information available to emergency dispatchers and responders, this measure promotes safer, more effective, and more person-centered emergency responses. Advance knowledge allows first responders to tailor their approach; communicate more effectively; and respond in a way that respects the individual's needs, dignity, and autonomy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the 911 Board to establish a Statewide Emergency Safety Profile System Pilot Program and convene a working group of stakeholders;

(2) Repealing the Statewide Emergency Safety Profile System Pilot Program on June 30, 2031;

(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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 Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1577, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1577, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair