Bills Aim to Offer Women ‘Expanded Opportunity For Upward Mobility’

Two measures that were priorities for the state Senate Women’s Legislative Caucus that will help uplift women in the islands were approved by both houses of the state Legislature.

These measures aim to place greater accountability on educational institutions and their Title IX cases and expand opportunities for incarcerated women to better themselves as they reintegrate into society.

House Bill 1775 requires annual reporting by the University of Hawai’i, state Department of Education and state Public Charter School Commission to the Legislature about the number and types of Title IX cases and other relevant information. The measure also appropriates funds to the DOE for equity training.

Senate Bill 2637 mandates a community-based work furlough program for incarcerated women in the islands.

“These bills give women across many intersections of society expanded opportunity for upward mobility,” state Sen. Rosalyn Baker, chairwoman of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, said in a press release. “It has always been a goal of the Women’s Legislative Caucus to lift everyone up, including the least of us. These bills do just that.”

Both measures will now be sent to Gov. Davie Ige’s desk for his consideration.