STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1441

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   S.B. No. 814

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 814, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Office of Language Access and a working group, to develop and publish, and periodically review and update, electronic information technology standards for multilingual accessibility to be implemented by all state entities; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for one program manager position in the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, AlohaCare, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Language Access and Disability and Communication Access Board.

 

     Your Committee finds that many state agencies use their websites, portals, and digital platforms to provide information and services to residents, accept applications for services and benefits, and access and manage online accounts.  Providing persons with limited English proficiency with easy-to-find government digital information would encourage their participation in government services, programs, and activities.  Establishing electronic information technology multilingual accessibility standards will provide a critical link to communication and make government services more accessible.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 814, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 814, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair