2014 Women's Legislative Caucus

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Womens Legislative Caucus 2014 Bill Package

dedicated to the

Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women


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STATE OF HAWAI I

WOMENS LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

History & Information

More than two decades ago, the Hawai i Womens Legislative Caucus was establishedas 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 ofdedicated women assembles a package of bills and resolutions that are voted on by theCaucus for inclusion in their session package.

Bills and resolutions must be approved by at least 75% of all Caucus members tobecome part of the official legislative package. Through the years, the Caucus hasintroduced important bills relating to health, human services, human trafficking,domestic abuse, and education.

This years Caucus is dedicated to the Hawai i State Commission on the Status ofWomen, which is celebrating its 50 th Year with The Year of the Girl. The Hawai iState 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 forwomen and girls. The Commission was established to assist in legislative advocacy andimplementation, to develop programs for women and girls, and to serve as aninformational resource for Hawaiis women and girls on a broad range of policies andissues.

This year, the Womens Legislative Caucus is a lso recognizing and remembering StateHealth Director Loretta Fuddy, who passed away in December of 2013. Director Fuddymade 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 Hawaiismany health issues.


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Womens Legislative Caucus 2014 Bill Package Dedicated to the

HAWAI I STATE COMMISSIONON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Fifty years ago, the Hawai i State Commission on the Status of Women wasfounded in Honolulu, Hawai i by an Executive Order from Governor John A. Burns.This year, the Womens Legislative Caucus is thrilled to celebrate the Commissions50 th Anniversary with the Year of t he Girl, a dedication to the resilient girls andyoung women of our state. As a gesture of our gratitude for the Commissionsefforts and successes , the Womens Legislative Caucus is proud to dedicate the2014 Legislative Package to the Commission.

The Hawai i State Commission on the Status of Women was established to aid inthe implementation of policy recommendations, advise governmental and non-governmental organizations of the specific issues and problems faced by Hawaiiswomen, act as a central clearinghouse and coordinating body for governmental andnon-governmental activities andinformation relating to the status ofwomen, and create public awarenessand understanding of theresponsibilities, needs, potentials, and

contributions of women across ourstate.

Serving as a link between the Honolulu,Maui, Kauai, and Hawai i CountyCommittees on the Status of Women,and the University of Hawai i PresidentsCommission on the Status of Women,throughout the years, the Commissionhas served as a vocal advocate forwomen and girls in the areas of violenceagainst women, access to qualityreproductive health care, equal pay, and economic justice for women.

In 2013, the Commission testified on several landmark bills including SB532 relatingto breastfeeding in the workplace, SB1 relating to marriage equality, and HB411relating to hospital emergency compassionate care for sexual assault victims. TheCommissions testimony for HB411 noted , We should be clear: we are talking


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about rape victims, many of them are under the age of 18. We are talking aboutyoung girls who have been brutally victimized, young women who are seekinghealing and care. A victim of rape should not have to seek further medical care onher 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 theCommissions commitment to protecting and furthering of rights of women in

Hawai i. As the 2014 sessionapproaches, the WomensLegislative Caucus is confident thatthe Commission will continue tosupport progressive initiatives inthe form of compelling testimonybefore 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 , whichserves not only as a reminder thatthere is still much work to do toensure gender equity for all women

and girls, but also as a springboardfor new ideas, will ensure the perpetual fight for womens issues in our state. TheWomens Legislative Caucus agrees, Our progress means little if the girls in ou r

community are unable, for any reason, to access the many opportunities availableto them and to continue on the path of seeking true equality.

Congratulations, Hawai i State Commission on the Status of Women, for a terrific2013 and a landmark 2014!


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In Recognition & Remembrance Hawai i State Department of Health

Director Loretta Deliana Fuddy

On December 11, 2013, we lost Hawai

i 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 experienceand knowledge in several aspects of publichealth. She jumpstarted many initiatives,personally testified in favor of womens healthbills, and served in leadership positions for manyhealth and human services organizations inHawai i for over 30 years.

Director Fuddy was also a recipient of diverseand numerous awards attesting to hercapabilities as a leader including the HawaiiOutstanding Advocate for Children and Youth ,the Department of Health Sustained Superior andExemplary Performance Award , the National

Association of Social Workers Hawaii ChapterLifetime Achievement Award , Ford Foundation Innovations in American Government, National

Committee to Prevent Child Abuse , ProHumanitate Literary Award Center for ChildWelfare Policy , and Directors Award Maternal& Child Health Bureau, HRSA .

In addition to her dynamic career, long list ofachievements, and statewide impact, Director Fuddy also regularly sang with the choirat her place of worship, the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Kalihi. In an expression ofremembrance at her funeral, fellow choir members sang Director Fuddys favoritehymn , Here I Am Lord, as a poignant tribute to her life and legacy as a publicservant.

Director Fuddy is survived by many loving family members and her positivecontributions to Hawaiis H ealth Department. She was an avid supporter of prenatalhealth and healthy baby programs, and the family has asked that any donations bemade 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 legacyand robust agenda for constantly improving Hawai i lives on.

State DOH Director Loretta Fuddy


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2014 WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS PACKAGE

Bills and resolutions in the 2014 Womens Legislative Caucus package receiveda "Yes" vote by 75% or more of Caucus members.

STRENGTHENING REPRODUCTIVE AND MATERNAL HEALTH

HB2039/SB2447: RELATING TO CANCER (Comprehensive Breast and Cervical CancerControl Program; Appropriation)Appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Health for the comprehensive breast andcervical control program.

HB2033/SB2452: RELATING TO JURY DUTY (Exempting Breastfeeding Mothers from JuryDuty)Exempts breastfeeding mothers from jury duty for up to one year from the time themother began breastfeeding the child.

BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES

HB2040/SB2444: RELATING TO INFANT MORTALITY (Comprehensive Maternal and ChildHealth Quality Improvement Program)Clarifies the role of the Department of Health in reducing infant mortality rates; establishesthe Hawaii maternal and child health quality improvement collaborative; requires birthingfacility 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 andAdolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Project Kealahoupromotes community-based, individualized, culturally and linguistically competent, family-driven, youth-guided, and evidence-based services for adolescent girls ages eleven totwenty-one who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

HB2036/SB2445: RELATING TO HEALTH (Requiring Information about the Vaccination forHuman Papillomavirus)Requires the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, toannually provide to parents or guardians of each student entering grade six information onthe availability of a vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV). Information willinclude the link between HPV and cervical cancer as well as other cancers and diseases andthat 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 thestudent enters grade seven. Program effective beginning the 2015-2016 school year.


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TACKLING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

HB2034/SB2448: RELATING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT (Removes the Statute of Limitations onCases of Sexual Assault)Removes the statute of limitations for criminal and civil actions arising from sexual assaultin the first and second degrees and continuous sexual assault of a minor under the age offourteen.

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 contractsfor domestic violence programs that provide services including victims programs, batterersintervention 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 theDepartment of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide support and services to humantrafficking victims.

HCR12/HR7: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COMMIT TO UPHOLDING TITLE IXAND VAWA 2013Requesting the University of Hawaii to affirm their commitment to upholding the tenets ofTitle 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 onthe 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 PatsyTakemoto 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 RepresentativePatsy Takemoto Mink.

HCR13/HR8: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO NAME THECENTRAL OAHU AMBULANCE FACILITY AFTER THE LATE LORETTA FUDDY, DIRECTOR OFHEALTHRequests the City and County of Honolulu to name the Central Oahu ambulance facilityafter Director Loretta Fuddy.


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State of HawaiiWomens Legislative Caucus

House of Representatives

Karen Leinani AwanaDistrict 43

Della Au BelattiDistrict 24

Mele CarrollDistrict 13

Cindy EvansDistrict 7

Beth FukumotoDistrict 36

Faye HanohanoDistrict 4

Sharon HarDistrict 42

Linda IchiyamaDistrict 32

R ida CabanillaDistrict 41




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Lauren K. MatsumotoDistrict 45

Jo JordanDistrict 44

Nicole LowenDistrict 6

Sylvia LukeDistrict 25

Dee MorikawaDistrict 16

Cynthia ThielenDistrict 50

Jessica WooleyDistrict 48




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Senate

Roz B akerDistrict 6

Suzanne Chun OaklandDistrict 13

Michelle KidaniDistrict 18

Donna Mercado KimDistrict 14

Maile S.L. ShimabukuroDistrict 21

Malama SolomonDistrict 4

Laura ThielenDistrict 25

Jill TokudaDistrict 24

Documents

2014 Women's Legislative Caucus