STAND. COM. REP. NO.108

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 862

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 862 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUBLIC ENTITIES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend protection for individuals with disabilities against discrimination by every State and county agency that provides services, programs, or activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (Commission), the Aloha State Association of the Deaf, and four concerned citizens.

Your Committee finds that this measure will strengthen current State laws prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities by incorporating several important provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your Committee further finds that this measure gives the Commission the authority to adopt rules to carry out the provisions of Hawaii's anti-discrimination laws.

Your Committee fully supports this measure, which will bring State law directly in line with the ADA, and ensure that all persons with disabilities receive equal treatment under the law.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 862 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair