STAND. COM. REP. NO.  759-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2772

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2772, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to promote a safe environment free from sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking at the University of Hawaii by requiring the University to, among other things:

 

     (1)  Train all employees and students on sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking laws and policies;

 

     (2)  Designate a confidential advocate for students at each of its campuses;

 

     (3)  Inform victims in writing of the right to report all sexual-assault cases to the county police department for investigation and assist victims in submitting the police report;

 

     (4)  Require the confidential advocate to annually provide general statistics to the Title IX coordinator on the number and type of incidents received by the confidential advocate;

 

     (5)  Prohibit romantic relationships between a student or graduate assistant and faculty or staff; and

 

     (6)  Conduct a campus climate survey of all students every two years, beginning no later than December 31, 2016.

 

     Parents and Children Together and Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii provided testimony in support of this measure.  The University of Hawaii provided testimony in opposition.  The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, University of Hawaii President's Commission on the Status of Women, and Sex Abuse Treatment Center 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. 2772, 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