Bill Text: HI SB2670 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To The Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-06-17 - Act 041, on 06/16/2022 (Gov. Msg. No. 1141). [SB2670 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2670-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2670
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, PLUS COMMISSION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to title 20 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

Hawaii state Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus Commission

     §   -1  Findings and purpose.  The legislature finds that there is a need to establish a body to improve the State's interface with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community; identify the short- and long-range needs of its members; and ensure that there is an effective means of researching, planning, and advocating for the equity of this population in all aspects of state government.  Accordingly, the purpose of this chapter is to establish a commission to provide for a statewide program, on a permanent and continuing basis, on the status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus individuals in Hawaii.

     §   -2  Definitions.  For purposes of this chapter:

     "Commission" means the Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus commission.

     "Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus" includes any individual who identifies as a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer community, or any individual who identifies as a member of a sexual or gender minority, including intersex, asexual, or pansexual individuals.

     §   -3  Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus commission; membership.  (a)  There is established the Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus commission within the department of human services for administrative purposes.

     (b)  The commission shall consist of the following:

     (1)  Six ex officio, nonvoting members or their designees, including the:

          (A)  Superintendent of education;

          (B)  President of the University of Hawaii system;

          (C)  Director of labor and industrial relations;

          (D)  Director of human resources development;

          (E)  Director of human services; and

          (F)  Director of health; and

     (2)  Eight voting members who shall be appointed by the governor in accordance with section 26-34; provided that of these eight members:

          (A)  One member shall be from the county of Hawaii;

          (B)  One member shall be from the county of Kauai;

          (C)  One member shall be from the county of Maui;

          (D)  Four members shall be from the city and county of Honolulu; and

          (E)  One member shall represent the Hawaii sexual and gender minority workgroup of the department of health.

     (c)  The governor shall appoint members of the commission:

     (1)  On the basis of their interest and knowledge in, and their ability to make contributions to, the solution of problems relating to the status of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community; and

     (2)  That reflect the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community by including individuals from different lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus identities.

     (d)  A chairperson of the commission shall be elected annually from the eight appointed members of the commission.  A quorum to do business or validate any act of the commission shall consist of a majority of the eight appointed members of the commission.

     §   -4  Compensation.  The members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

     §   -5  Powers and duties of the commission.  The commission shall:

     (1)  Act as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental and nongovernmental activities and information relating to the status of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community in the State;

     (2)  Create public awareness and understanding of the responsibilities, needs, potentials, and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community and their roles in the changing society;

     (3)  Recommend legislative and administrative action on equal treatment and opportunities for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community;

     (4)  Encourage a long-range program of education of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community in their political rights and responsibilities, particularly with respect to their voting duties;

     (5)  Maintain contacts with appropriate federal, state, local, and international agencies concerned with the status of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community;

     (6)  Cooperate and collaborate with national groups on the status of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community and arrange for participation by representatives of the State in White House conferences and other national conferences;

     (7)  Administer funds allocated for the commission's work, including accepting, disbursing, and allocating funds that may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with any specific designation stated by the donor; provided further that in the absence of any specific designation, the funds shall be disbursed or allocated to projects related to any of the purposes of this chapter; and

     (8)  Submit to the governor and legislature an annual report with recommendations."

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

Report Title:

Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii state lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus commission to provide for a statewide program, on a permanent and continuing basis, on the status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus individuals in Hawaii.  (CD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.