HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2438

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Pursuant to article XV, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution, English and Hawaiian are the official languages of the State.  The legislature finds that it is important that public documents, including the Hawaii State Constitution, and public proceedings and services be translated into or available in the Hawaiian language.  The legislature finds that the translation of public documents into the Hawaiian language is a matter of statewide concern.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§78-    Knowledge of Hawaiian language.  (a)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, chapter 76, and chapter 89, knowledge of and ability to communicate in the Hawaiian language shall be a desirable but not mandatory qualification in the hiring of all officers and employees.

     (b)  Notwithstanding subsection (a), all officers and employees whose primary duties involve public relations or the dissemination of information to the general public shall have basic skills and ability to communicate in the Hawaiian language.

     (c)  The director of human resources development shall develop rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 606, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§606-    Court interpreters.  Upon request, by any person involved in proceedings before the Hawaii state courts, the court shall provide interpretation services in the language requested by the person, regardless of the person's literacy or proficiency in the English language, or status as deaf or hard-of-hearing."

     SECTION 4.  The University of Hawaii shall develop and implement a program to translate public documents, including the Hawaii State Constitution, into the Hawaiian language.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a program to translate public documents, including the Hawaii State Constitution, into the Hawaiian language.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 7.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 5 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaiian Language; State Employees; Courts; University of Hawaii; Public Documents; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes knowledge of the Hawaiian language a desirable qualification for all state positions.  Requires public information officers to have basic skills in the Hawaiian language.  Requires the University of Hawaii to translate public documents.  Requires courts to provide interpreters, including in the Hawaiian language upon request.  Makes an appropriation.  (HB2438 HD1)

 

 

 

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