STAND. COM. REP. NO.  855-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2139

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2139, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a state corollary to Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, in any:

 

     (1)  State educational program or activity; or

 

     (2)  Educational program or activity that receives state financial assistance.

 

     This measure also clarifies that students subjected to sexual harassment or sexual assault may pursue civil remedies through the Civil Rights Commission and the courts.

 

     The State Public Charter School Commission, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii State Teachers Association, The Sex Abuse Treatment Center of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Hawaii Children's Action Network, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, IMUAlliance, AF3IRM Hawaii, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, YWCA Oahu, Hawaii Women Lawyers, Hawaii LGBT Legal Association, Filipina Advocacy Network, American Association of University Women, Rainbow Family 808, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Education provided comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2139, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair