THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

60

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the legislative reference bureau to study laws THAT facilitate or detract from effective work-family policy.

 

WHEREAS, working families bear two important responsibilities, often referred to as work-family issues, which are caring for family members and earning the income needed to support their families; and

WHEREAS, working families are headed by individuals of all ages, requiring many different types of caregiving responsibilities and preferences for employment; and

WHEREAS, working families with young children have patent work-family challenges as they must provide for the care of their children; and

WHEREAS, many working families have responsibilities for family members with extraordinary needs, including children with special needs, adults with disabilities, and dependent elders; and

WHEREAS, presently, a growing number of working families include single parent families, parents who share custody of their children, and single individuals who help to care for relatives; and

WHEREAS, conflicts over work-family issues will often infiltrate the workplace, becoming issues of concern to employers; and

WHEREAS, examples of work-family issues that invade the workplace are employees who may miss work when unable to make arrangements for unexpected or unusual family needs or become preoccupied with work-family issues and consequently are unable to focus on work; and

WHEREAS, additionally, some employees who want or need to work full-time, may decide to cut back on work hours or completely leave the workforce because they cannot meet the demands of both caring for a family and working full-time; and

WHEREAS, many states, including Hawaii, have enacted a multitude of laws which support state policies that seek to assist families with work-family issues in order to develop a sustainable and successful economy through workforce development; and

WHEREAS, some of the issues addressed in these state policies include the provision of child care and afterschool programs, employer strategies for easing work-family tensions, family and medical leave, flextime, and family care for older relatives; and

WHEREAS, although policies are in place within the State to provide for work-family issues, it is unclear as to the extent of the success or failure of the implementation of these programs and policies; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to conduct a study of the current state laws which facilitate or detract from effective work-family policy and make recommendations for improvements and amendments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED in conducting this study, the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to examine the work-family policies of other jurisdictions in order to ascertain whether Hawaii should model its laws after one or more other states in maintaining and providing an effective work-family policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

LRB Study; Work-Family Policy