Hawaii Senate Bill SCR53

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requesting The Attorney General To Conduct A Comprehensive Review Of The Hawaii Revised Statutes To Identify Provisions In Which The Term "impaired" Or A Similar Term Is Used To Describe A Person With A Disability And To Suggest Disability-inclusive Appropriate Amendments.

Impact

Should the resolution pass, it emphasizes the need for statutory language that respects the dignity of individuals with disabilities. This could lead to significant amendments in Hawaii's laws to adopt more person-first language, such as replacing 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf or hard of hearing' and 'vision impaired' with 'low vision.' Ultimately, the goal is not only to modernize the language used in state laws but also to ensure that the laws do not conflict with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Summary

SCR53, or the Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 53, requests the Attorney General to undertake a thorough review of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The focus is on identifying those provisions in which terms like 'impaired' are employed to describe individuals with disabilities. The resolution arises from concerns that certain terminology has developed negative connotations over time, which can contribute to the stigma associated with disability. Advocates argue for the necessity of using language that is respectful and aligns with contemporary understanding of disability.

Contention

Although the resolution is largely viewed as a progressive step toward inclusivity, it may encounter some contention, particularly from conservative factions that might argue against perceived governmental overreach in reviewing and amending legal terminologies. However, such resistance may be mitigated by the rationale that this change is aligned with broader societal movements to destigmatize disabilities and foster a more inclusive environment. Moreover, it follows examples set by other states, such as Utah, which undertook similar reforms to modernize their legal language concerning disabilities.