Hawaii Senate Bill SR51

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

If approved, SR51 would have implications for various laws within the Hawaii Revised Statutes, prompting a shift toward terminology that respects the dignity of individuals with disabilities. This kind of legislative action would harmonize Hawaii's laws with practices seen in other states, such as Utah, which has already made similar changes. The resolution highlights the importance of ensuring that legal language resonates with the lived experiences of individuals rather than reflecting outdated medicalized terms that can perpetuate stigma.

Summary

Senate Resolution 51 (SR51) seeks to address the language used in the Hawaii Revised Statutes concerning individuals with disabilities. The resolution requests the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive review of existing statutes, identifying terms like 'impaired' and any similar descriptors that may carry negative or outdated connotations. By proposing amendments to replace these terms with more respectful and identity-affirming language, the resolution aims to modernize state law and align it with contemporary disability-inclusive language standards.

Contention

The consideration of language in legal contexts presents various points of contention. Advocates for disability rights generally support this resolution, emphasizing the importance of removing stigmatizing language from statutory provisions. However, there may be concerns regarding how legislative changes impact existing interpretations of law and whether new terms might introduce ambiguity or lead to other legal challenges. The resolution also seeks to ensure that any changes made do not conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which adds a layer of complexity to the discussions about language amendments.