STAND. COM. REP. NO.  17-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2037

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2037 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 interface with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community by establishing the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission (Commission) and Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Trust Fund (Trust Fund).

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Filipina Advocacy Network, Hawaii Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, The Trevor Project, Pride at Work – Hawaii, Rainbow Family 808, and several individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Department of Budget and Finance, and Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center.


Your Committee recognizes that individuals of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community are at elevated risks of bullying, suicide, and ostracism.  Addressing the needs of these individuals who experience multiple forms of marginalization will lend 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 equity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus community in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding one voting member to the Commission, to be identified from the Hawaii Sexual and Gender Minority Work Group;

 

     (2)  Deleting language that would have established the Trust Fund;

 

     (3)  Adding a general fund appropriation for the purposes of the Commission;

 

     (4)  Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (5)  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 Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2037, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2037, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair