STAND. COM. REP. NO.  618-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2037

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, PLUS COMMISSION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to improve the State's relationship with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community by establishing the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission (Commission).

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, Pride at Work-Hawaii, Rainbow Family 808, Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, Filipina Advocacy Network, Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center, Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, and eighteen individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that individuals of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community are often targets of harassment and discrimination and are at elevated risks of bullying, suicide, and ostracism.  Addressing the needs of these individuals who experience multiple forms of marginalization will lead to a better understanding of the risks and challenges they face and support greater intervention and prevention efforts in the State.  Establishing the Commission is an effective means of researching, planning, and advocating for the equality of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the requirement that one of the eight voting members appointed to the Commission be identified by the Hawaii Sexual and Gender Minority Health Work Group;

 

     (2)  Requiring the Commission to promote the diversity of cultural expressions of persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics and ensure the recognition of culturally-based sexual and gender identities specific to Hawaii, such as mahu and aikane;

 

     (3)  Authorizing, rather than requiring, the mayor of each county to appoint a county committee; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 2.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair