H.B. 1101 Summary

• Clarifies that the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission has jurisdiction over disability discrimination claims under section 368-1.5, even when federal protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are also available.

• Removes the word "solely" from section 368-1.5(a) to broaden protection against disability discrimination by state agencies and programs receiving state financial assistance.

• Expands the definition of "program or activity receiving state financial assistance" to explicitly include programs that receive both federal and state financial assistance.

• Amends section 368D-1 to allow students with disabilities to file complaints with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission for violations of disability discrimination protections in state educational programs and activities.

• Effective upon approval and addresses the Hawaii Supreme Court's Hawaii Tech. Acad. v. L.E. decision by reinstating legislative intent to provide state-level remedies for disability discrimination claims in education.