STAND. COM. REP. NO. 81

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 752

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 752 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require telecommunications carriers to release individuals from shared or family wireless plans, without charge, upon written request in documented instances of domestic violence.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Kauai; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Domestic Violence Action Center; PHOCUSED; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from CTIA – The Wireless Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that victims of domestic violence often find themselves struggling to escape their abusive situations.  Being forced to share a continued wireless service plan with an abuser makes it even more difficult for a victim of domestic violence to leave.  Abusers will often manipulate their partners through cellular phones in ways that have significant safety and financial implications for victims.

 

     Your Committee further finds that although wireless service providers do permit cancellation or removal of phone numbers or phones from a shared wireless plan, such cancellation or removal may come with substantial fees and charges that act as a barrier to leaving a violent situation.  This measure eases a domestic violence victim's financial burden, reduces the potential for negative marks on a credit score, and increases safety by permitting victims of domestic violence to opt out of wireless contractual obligations.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 752 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair