STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2921

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2268

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2268, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EQUITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require all places of public accommodation and public entity construction projects designed after July 31, 2027, to provide at least one universal changing accommodation within the building in a public restroom, with certain exceptions; and

(2) Make conforming amendments to sections 489-6, 489-7.5, and 489-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to prevent conflicts among the provisions.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Executive Office on Aging; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Pride at Work ‑ Hawaiʻi; Aloha Independent Living Hawaii; HOKU PAC; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers; and five individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Education.

Your Committees find that there is a lack of appropriate accessible public restroom and changing facilities in the State for those who require additional assistance or privacy. This measure would ensure that all residents of the State are afforded access to suitable public restrooms and changing facilities, which can provide opportunities for greater participation in community activities and public life.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the definition of "new establishment" means a place of public accommodation or public entity construction that is planned and designed, rather than constructed, after July 31, 2027; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2268, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2268, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair