District 24 News
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District 24 News MAKIKI, TANTALUS, PAPAKŌLEA, MCCULLY, PĀWA‘A, MĀNOA FEBRUARY 2019 Scenes from Opening Day Dear Neighbor, January 16, 2019, marked the start of the Thirtieth Session of 2019 the Hawai‘i State Legislature. With each new year, we cele- brate Opening Day by welcoming constituents and visitors to the State Capitol. This year, we saw many familiar faces as well as some new ones. This year, I had the honor of delivering remarks as the House Majority Leader. It was indeed a special day as I was able to introduce Kamehameha School students and first time voters Sierra Furukawa, Karina Jacang, Connor Kalahiki, Kaulana Kanno, Rory Keliikipi, Mahealani Lewis, Mirai Mawae, and Hokupaa Melim. This inspiring group of seniors spearheaded a student-led “Get Out the Vote” campaign last year to encour- age voter registration and voting among our youngest voters. Hawaii State Capitol (January 16, 2019): Shortly before Opening Day ceremonies, Representative Belatti visits with Kamehameha As legislators focused on the task of problem-solving and tack- students Kaulana Kanno, Mirai Mawae, Rory Keliikipi, Sierra Fu- ling the tough issues facing our communities from recovering rukawa, Hokupa’a Melim, Karina Jacang, Connor Kalahiki, and Mahealani Lewis from disasters to reducing the high cost of living affecting all of Hawaii’s residents, a sense of optimism, determination, and resolve could be felt throughout the day. Thank you to every- one who was able to enjoy Opening Day ceremonies with me. As the session goes on, staying connected with constituents is important to me. Please consider filling out the enclosed “2019 Community Survey” and returning it to my office by mail or email. You can also drop off a completed survey at one of two Town Hall Meetings occurring on February 20th or February 26th. More details about these Town Hall Meetings can be found in “The Shortlist” at page 4 of this newsletter. Representative Belatti with retired businessman Roger Morey and In closing, I would like to wish you a year full of fortune and former Maryknoll School English teacher Natalie Morey. luck! It is my great privilege to be able to continue to serve as your State Representative. With warmest aloha, Della Au Belatti State Representative, District 24 Representative Belatti with Stella Wong, Betty Lou Larson, and Tina Andrade, representatives from Catholic Charities Hawaii. 2019 Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus: Advocating for Women and Families Statewide On January 23, 2019, Relating to Human the Hawai‘i Women’s Trafficking (HB 485 Legislative Caucus and SB 1038). (WLC) met at the Requires the State Com- YWCA of O‘ahu for mission on the Status of their annual unveiling Women to establish a of the WLC legislative statewide training pro- package of bills and gram on the state human resolutions. trafficking laws for crimi- nal justice personnel. The Hawai‘i WLC is a bipartisan Caucus fo- Relating to Sex Traf- cused on supporting ficking (HB 487 and SB and promoting issues 1040). that are important to Requires the State Com- women and families. mission on the Status of The WLC is comprised Women to maintain a da- of women elected to Hawaii State Capitol (January 22, 2019): (L-R) Representatives Cynthia tabase on sex trafficking. state and county offic- Thielen, Amy Perruso, Senator Laura Thielen, Representatives Dee Mori- Requires reports to the es. The House of Rep- kawa and Della Au Belatti, Senator Roz Baker, United States Senator Mazie Legislature. resentatives has seven- Hirono, Senators Donna Mercado Kim and Michelle Kidani, Representative teen women represent- Lisa Kitagawa, and Senator Sharon Moriwaki gather for Governor David Relating to Domestic atives, making up one- Ige’s 2019 State of the State Address. Photo courtesy of Michele Michiko Violence (HB 489 and third of the fifty-one Moore, Senate Communications. SB 1037). Amends the total members. The offense of strangulation of Senate has seven women members. benefit societies, fraternal benefit so- a family or household member to in- cieties, and health maintenance or- clude blocking the nose or mouth of This year’s WLC package of bills ganizations. the person or applying excessive was dedicated to United States Sena- pressure to the chest. Clarifies that tor Mazie Hirono and includes the Relating to the Licensure of Mid- infliction of visible injury is not re- following bills and resolutions: wives (HB 490 and SB 1033). quired to establish the offense. Establishes the licensure of midwives ACCESS TO QUALITY including scope of practice, profes- Relating to Prostitution (HB 486 HEALTH CARE sional code of conduct, continuing and SB 1039). Permits persons con- Relating to Insurance (HB 481 and education requirements, and prescrip- victed of certain prostitution offenses SB 1034). Clarifies existing health tive drug authority. Appropriates to file a motion to vacate the convic- insurance mandate for coverage of funds from the compliance resolution tion if the defendant is not convicted low-dose mammography to include fund. Exempts traditional birth at- of another offense under the penal coverage for digital mammography tendants and Native Hawaiian healers code within three years of the prosti- and breast tomosynthesis. from licensure requirements. tution offense. Relating to Clinical Victim Support REDUCING VIOLENCE WOMEN & EQUAL Services (HB 484 and SB 1036). AGAINST WOMEN & OPPORTUNITIES Clarifies that clinical support services CHILDREN Relating to Civil Rights (HB 483 for victims of sexual violence and Relating to Sexual Violence (HB ans SB 1042). Requires the Legisla- abuse are a mental health outpatient 482 and SB 1035). Extends the tive Reference Bureau to submit by services benefit required to be cov- amount of time from the date an act 1/24/2019, a report studying how oth- ered under health insurance policies of child sexual abuse occurred for a er jurisdictions enforce Title IX pro- offered by health insurers, mutual victim to bring a civil cause of action. tections. (Continued on page 3.) 2 (Continued from page 2.) Elected Women in Hawaiʻi by the Numbers: Relating to Employment Practices (HB 488 and SB 1041). Prohibits ✓ Seventeen out of 51 State Representatives are women, comprising written nondisclosure agreements 33% of the 2019 State House. Six out of 10 new members are wom- involving sexual assault and sexual en. harassment as part of an employee's conditions of employment. Prohibits ✓ Seven of 25 Senators are elected women, representing 28 percent of employers from retaliating against the State Senate. an employee for disclosing or dis- ✓ Six out of 9 Maui County Council seats and six out of 9 Hawaii cussing sexual harassment or sexual County Council seats are held by women, comprising 67 percent rep- assault. resentation by women on each county council. Relating to Safe Work Places ✓ Four of 9 council positions on the City and County of Honolulu (HCR 5 and SCR 12). Requesting County Council are held by women, comprising of 44% representa- members of the United States Con- tion by women. gress to amend federal law to ensure that victims of sexual harassment ✓ One of Kauai County Council seat is held by an elected woman, and sexual assault who might other- comprising of 14% representation by women. wise be forced into arbitration and silence instead have access to courts. Tracking Bills: How to Receive Hearing Notices by E-mail Every year, thousands of bills are completed this process skip to 3. To track specific bills or reso- introduced in the Hawai‘i State Leg- step 2). To register you will be lutions: in the left hand column, islature. A total of 3,142 bills were asked for your name and email type in the bill or resolution introduced this session (1,597 bills address, and to create a pass- numbers for which you would in the House of Representatives; and word. Next, go to your email in- like to receive hearing notices 1,545 bills in the Senate), meeting box where you will receive an and then click “Add.” the State Legislature’s introduction email message asking you to deadline on January 24, 2019. confirm the account. During the first part of the legisla- tive session, these bills are sched- uled, scrutinized, vetted and voted on by legislators during hearings in the House and Senate chambers. 4. To track committees’ activi- With such a large amount of bills it 2. Once you are signed in click on ties: in the right hand column, is helpful to know how to keep track the “Hearing Notification” icon click the boxes next to the com- of bills important to you. The State in the center of the screen. You mittees whose hearing notices Capitol website can alert you when a will be brought to a screen where you would like to receive. measure you are interested in gets you can enter the bills and reso- scheduled for a hearing. This is a lutions numbers or the commit- great way to ensure you do not miss tees for which you would like to an important opportunity to offer receive hearing notices. testimony. 1. Go to the Legislature’s website, https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/ and in the upper-right corner, 5. When done, click the “Save and click on “Sign In.” If you don’t Exit” button. already have an account select “Register” (If you’ve already 3 Returning Legislative Staff to Serve District 24 Representative Della Au Belatti’s 2019 legislative staff is made up of returning staff members Jon Kawamura, Robert Choy, and Kimberly Puente. They bring with them a variety of experiences and skills to serve the resi- dents of District 24 and assist Representative Belatti in her duties as House Majority Leader. Jon Kawamura, Office Manager: Returning as Representative Belatti’s office manager is Jon Kawamura.