WOMEN’S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS 2014 HOUSE-SENATE
JOINT PACKAGE FOCUSES ON HEALTH AND SAFETY
Includes measures related to health, human
trafficking and violence against women
Honolulu, Hawaii – The Women’s Legislative Caucus, consisting of
members from both the state Senate and House, today announced a joint package of
priorities for the 2014 legislative session. The package of bills cover a broad
spectrum of issues of concern to women of all ages and economic background.
“For more than 20
years, our coalition of women legislators have worked on behalf of the concerns
and rights of all women in Hawaii,” said Representative Della Au Belatti (Makiki,
Tantalus, Papakolea, McCully, Pawaa, Manoa). “By working collectively, we have
provided women with a strong voice when it comes to passing measures that will
improve women’s quality of life and protect their safety and rights.”
“This year’s
initiatives include bills relating to women’s health issues, strengthening the
family, violence against women, human trafficking, and Title IX” said Senator
Rosalyn Baker (South and West Maui). “I am also very pleased that one of our
bills directs the state Department of Education to name the new high school in my
district of Kihei, Maui the Patsy Takemoto Mink High School. As a role model
for young women and as a pioneer in women’s rights, she deserves this honor for
all that she accomplished for women in Hawaii and across the nation.”
“Our collaboration
involves not only members of the Legislature, but other organizations that
focus on women’s issues, such as the YWCA, the Hawaii State Commission on the
Status of Women, the Organization of Hawaii Women Leaders, and the Patsy T.
Mink Center for Business & Leadership,” said Representative Cynthia Thielen
(Kailua, Kaneohe Bay). “Proposed bills are voted on by caucus members and those
that are approved by at least 75 percent become part of the package.”
“While women have made great strides in many areas, real
life experiences and trends suggest we still have a lot of work to do in terms
of women’s equality and opportunity, as well as their health, safety and
wellbeing,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland (Liliha, Palama, Iwilei, Kalihi,
Nuuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Lower Tantalus, Downtown).
STRENGTHENING REPRODUCTIVE AND
MATERNAL HEALTH
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.
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.
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
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.
Relating to 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,
family-driven, youth-guided, and evidence-based services for adolescent girls,
ages 11 to 21, who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.
TACKLING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
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.
Restoring Judiciary Funding of Domestic
Violence Funding
Restores funds in
the Judiciary budget to allow for funding of domestic violence services
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.
HONORING HAWAII’S WOMEN LEADERS
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.
RESOLUTION
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 Women’s Act (VAWA) 2013 and the University of
Hawaii’s 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.
Requesting the City and County of Honolulu
name the new Central Oahu ambulance facility after the late state Health
Director Loretta Fuddy.
