Womens Legislative Caucus 2014 Bill Package

dedicated to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women

STATE OF HAWAII WOMENS LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

History & Information

More than two decades ago, the Hawaii Womens Legislative Caucus was established as a coalition of women legislators from both the Senate and House of Representatives to advocate bills benefiting women in our state. Each year, this bipartisan group of dedicated women assembles a package of bills and resolutions that are voted on by the Caucus for inclusion in their session package. Bills and resolutions must be approved by at least 75% of all Caucus members to become part of the official legislative package. Through the years, the Caucus has introduced important bills relating to health, human services, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and education. This years Caucus is dedicated to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, which is celebrating its 50th Year with The Year of the Girl. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women was created by Executive Order on May 15, 1964, to function as a central clearinghouse of resources, services, and advocacy for women and girls. The Commission was established to assist in legislative advocacy and implementation, to develop programs for women and girls, and to serve as an informational resource for Hawaiis women and girls on a broad range of policies and issues. This year, the Womens Legislative Caucus is also recognizing and remembering State Health Director Loretta Fuddy, who passed away in December of 2013. Director Fuddy made a profound impact on womens health issues throughout the state and was a stellar example of dedicated public service and commitment. Her loss is felt by all, particularly those who looked to her quiet yet dynamic leadership in resolving Hawaiis many health issues.

Womens Legislative Caucus 2014 Bill Package

Dedicated to the

HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Fifty years ago, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii by an Executive Order from Governor John A. Burns. This year, the Womens Legislative Caucus is thrilled to celebrate the Commissions 50th Anniversary with the Year of the Girl, a dedication to the resilient girls and young women of our state. As a gesture of our gratitude for the Commissions efforts and successes, the Womens Legislative Caucus is proud to dedicate the 2014 Legislative Package to the Commission. The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women was established to aid in the implementation of policy recommendations, advise governmental and nongovernmental organizations of the specific issues and problems faced by Hawaiis women, act as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental and non-governmental activities and information relating to the status of women, and create public awareness and understanding of the responsibilities, needs, potentials, and contributions of women across our state. Serving as a link between the Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii County Committees on the Status of Women, and the University of Hawaii Presidents Commission on the Status of Women, throughout the years, the Commission has served as a vocal advocate for women and girls in the areas of violence against women, access to quality reproductive health care, equal pay, and economic justice for women. In 2013, the Commission testified on several landmark bills including SB532 relating to breastfeeding in the workplace, SB1 relating to marriage equality, and HB411 relating to hospital emergency compassionate care for sexual assault victims. The Commissions testimony for HB411 noted, We should be clear: we are talking

about rape victims, many of them are under the age of 18. We are talking about young girls who have been brutally victimized, young women who are seeking healing and care. A victim of rape should not have to seek further medical care on her own because of an institutions denial of basic care. Please pass HB 411, HD 1, and in doing so, you will allow rape victims to continue on their path to healing. These multifaceted efforts clearly indicate the breadth and passion of the Commissions commitment to protecting and furthering of rights of women in Hawaii. As the 2014 session approaches, the Womens Legislative Caucus is confident that the Commission will continue to support progressive initiatives in the form of compelling testimony before the necessary committees, boosted by its Year of the Girl celebration events and activities. Though in its nascent stages, the Year of the Girl celebration, which serves not only as a reminder that there is still much work to do to ensure gender equity for all women and girls, but also as a springboard for new ideas, will ensure the perpetual fight for womens issues in our state. The Womens Legislative Caucus agrees, Our progress means little if the girls in our community are unable, for any reason, to access the many opportunities available to them and to continue on the path of seeking true equality. Congratulations, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, for a terrific 2013 and a landmark 2014!

In Recognition & Remembrance Hawaii State Department of Health

Director Loretta Deliana Fuddy

On December 11, 2013, we lost Hawaii Department of Health Director Loretta Deliana Fuddy, one of the state and nations foremost leaders of public health, human services, and womens issues. Beginning as a social worker, Director Fuddy rose through the ranks gaining experience and knowledge in several aspects of public health. She jumpstarted many initiatives, personally testified in favor of womens health bills, and served in leadership positions for many health and human services organizations in Hawaii for over 30 years. Director Fuddy was also a recipient of diverse and numerous awards attesting to her capabilities as a leader including the Hawaii Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth, the Department of Health Sustained Superior and Exemplary Performance Award, the National

Association of Social Workers Hawaii Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award, Ford Foundation Innovations in American Government, National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, Pro Humanitate Literary Award Center for Child Welfare Policy, and Directors Award Maternal & Child Health Bureau, HRSA.

State DOH Director Loretta Fuddy

In addition to her dynamic career, long list of achievements, and statewide impact, Director Fuddy also regularly sang with the choir at her place of worship, the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Kalihi. In an expression of remembrance at her funeral, fellow choir members sang Director Fuddys favorite hymn, Here I Am Lord, as a poignant tribute to her life and legacy as a public servant. Director Fuddy is survived by many loving family members and her positive contributions to Hawaiis Health Department. She was an avid supporter of prenatal health and healthy baby programs, and the family has asked that any donations be made to the March of Dimes or the UH School of Social Work. While she is dearly missed by those who knew her and those she served, her legacy and robust agenda for constantly improving Hawaii lives on.

2014 WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS PACKAGE

Bills and resolutions in the 2014 Womens Legislative Caucus package received a "Yes" vote by 75% or more of Caucus members.
STRENGTHENING REPRODUCTIVE AND MATERNAL HEALTH HB2036/SB2445: RELATING TO HEALTH (Requiring Information about the Vaccination for Human Papillomavirus) Requires the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to annually provide to parents or guardians of each student entering grade six information on the availability of a vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV). Information will include the link between HPV and cervical cancer as well as other cancers and diseases and that a vaccination to help prevent HPV infection is available. Parents and guardians are also to be informed about recommendation that the vaccination be completed before the student enters grade seven. Program effective beginning the 2015-2016 school year. HB2039/SB2447: RELATING TO CANCER (Comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program; Appropriation) Appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Health for the comprehensive breast and cervical control program. HB2033/SB2452: RELATING TO JURY DUTY (Exempting Breastfeeding Mothers from Jury Duty) Exempts breastfeeding mothers from jury duty for up to one year from the time the mother began breastfeeding the child. BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES HB2040/SB2444: RELATING TO INFANT MORTALITY (Comprehensive Maternal and Child Health Quality Improvement Program) Clarifies the role of the Department of Health in reducing infant mortality rates; establishes the Hawaii maternal and child health quality improvement collaborative; requires birthing facility reporting; and appropriates funds for operations.

HB2037/SB2449: RELATING TO PROJECT KEALAHOU (Appropriation for Project Kealahou) Appropriates $50,000 for the continued funding of Project Kealahou, within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Project Kealahou promotes community-based, individualized, culturally and linguistically competent, familydriven, youth-guided, and evidence-based services for adolescent girls ages eleven to twenty-one who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

TACKLING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING HB2034/SB2448: RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT (Removes the Statute of Limitations on Cases of Sexual Assault) Removes the statute of limitations for criminal and civil actions arising from sexual assault in the first and second degrees and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age of fourteen. HB2035/SB2450: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREGRAMS (Restores Judiciary Funding of Domestic Violence Programs) Restores funds in the Judiciary budget to allow for funding of purchase of service contracts for domestic violence programs that provide services including victims programs, batterers intervention programs, court outreach, support groups, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, and legal representation for victims. HB2038/SB2451: RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING (Victim Services Fund) Establishes the human trafficking victim services fund to be administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide support and services to human trafficking victims. HCR12/HR7: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMIT TO UPHOLDING TITLE IX AND VAWA 2013 Requesting the University of Hawaii to affirm their commitment to upholding the tenets of Title IX and the Violence Against Womens Act (VAWA) 2013 and the University of Hawaiis dedication to ending all forms of sexual violence on Hawaii campuses through a report on the status of Title IX and VAWA 2013 policies, procedures, staffing and statistics. HONORING HAWAIIS WOMEN LEADERS HB2032/SB2446: RELATING TO EDUCATION (Naming Kihei public high school the Patsy Takemoto Mink High School) Requires the Department of Education to name the new public high school in Kihei, Maui, the "Patsy Takemoto Mink High School" in honor of the late United States Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink. HCR13/HR8: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO NAME THE CENTRAL OAHU AMBULANCE FACILITY AFTER THE LATE LORETTA FUDDY, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH Requests the City and County of Honolulu to name the Central Oahu ambulance facility after Director Loretta Fuddy.

State of Hawaii Womens Legislative Caucus

House of Representatives

Karen Leinani Awana District 43

Della Au Belatti District 24

Rida Cabanilla District 41

Mele Carroll District 13

Cindy Evans District 7

Beth Fukumoto District 36

Faye Hanohano District 4

Sharon Har District 42

Linda Ichiyama District 32

State of Hawaii Womens Legislative Caucus

House of Representatives

Jo Jordan District 44

Nicole Lowen District 6

Sylvia Luke District 25

Lauren K. Matsumoto District 45

Dee Morikawa District 16

Cynthia Thielen District 50

Jessica Wooley District 48

State of Hawaii Womens Legislative Caucus

Senate

Roz Baker District 6

Suzanne Chun Oakland District 13

Michelle Kidani District 18

Donna Mercado Kim District 14

Maile S.L. Shimabukuro District 21

Malama Solomon District 4

Laura Thielen District 25

Jill Tokuda District 24