STAND. COM. REP. 438

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 260

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 260, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to assist individuals with limited English proficiency by:

(1) Establishing the Hawaii State Commission on Language Access (Commission) to develop and monitor a statewide plan to enhance access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency; and

(2) Appropriating funds for the Commission.

The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and ILWU Local 42 supported this bill. The Department of Health supported the intent of the measure. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations submitted comments.

Persons who do not speak English as a primary language comprise a significant portion of Hawaii's population. Many of these individuals contribute to our economy, educate their children in our schools, and make valuable contributions to the life of our state. Accordingly, we must strive to ensure that all residents of Hawaii, including non-English speakers and limited-English speakers, enjoy full access to and participation in the life of our community.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 260, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor and Public Employment,

 

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair