STAND. COM. REP. NO. 60

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 280

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 280 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FAIR HOUSING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to further clarify the definition of an "assistance animal" by codifying the administrative definition, while also providing guidance for identifying adequate verification of the need for an assistance animal.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and two individuals.  Your Committee also received comments on this measure from Disability and Communication Access Board and Community Associations Institute.

 

     Your Committee has found that to carry out Hawaii's constitutional mandate that no person shall be discriminated against in the exercise of their civil rights where a reasonable housing accommodation is requested by a disabled person, there is a need to clarify the process by which a request for an assistance animal can be verified.  Your Committee further finds that codifying this administrative rule will assist applicants for rental housing when the need for the accommodation is not readily apparent.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 280 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair