STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1742

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 171

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 171 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE TO VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE AND PROSECUTE OFFENSES COMMITTED AGAINST ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHILE ON THE JOB,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge all law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys in the State to vigorously enforce and prosecute offenses committed against essential workers while on the job.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; UNITE HERE! Local 5; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's devastating effect on public health and the economy has given rise to the public's reliance on workers of essential services.  Essential workers often engage in face‑to‑face interaction with the public and are called upon to enforce government-imposed restrictions and rules.  This has led to unwarranted harassment and sometimes physical confrontation between essential workers and the public.  This measure is necessary to provide essential workers protection, thereby ensuring the continuation of essential services during the pandemic.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 171 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair