STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1837-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 61

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 61 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE HEALTH CARE SETTING COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF, AND DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Disability and Communication Access Board conduct a study of the communication needs of deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind individuals in health care settings.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and one individual.

Your Committees find that patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind often encounter significant communication challenges in health care settings, especially at the hospital or when transitioning to a skilled nursing facility. These communication challenges can lead to misunderstandings about treatment plans, delayed care, and even safety risks during transitions between facilities. Your Committees further find that the study requested by this measure will help identify communication needs, evaluate current practices, and provide recommendations for effective communication in health care settings, which in turn will lead to better care and support for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 61 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services & Homelessness and Health,

____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair

____________________________ LISA MARTEN, Chair