STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2354

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2414

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2414 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, or deaf-blind and submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission, and six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State faces a growing number of hard of hearing residents amid its aging population with tens of thousands already affected statewide. Your Committee further finds that hearing loss significantly impacts health outcomes and quality of life. This measure requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the communication needs of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf blind individuals to provide direction, identify current resources, and identify gaps in the State's health care system.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2414 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair