HI HR4

Hawaii House Resolution HR4 urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service.

Hawaii currently provides state-level protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in housing, public accommodations, and employment, with the most recent protection (Act 40, 2022) addressing juror exclusion.

The federal Equality Act has been introduced since 1974, with the U.S. House passing versions in 2019 and 2021; the current House bill (H.R. 15) has 215 co-sponsors including both Hawaii Representatives, while the Senate version (S. 1503) has 46 co-sponsors including both Hawaii Senators.

Over 600 organizations have publicly endorsed the federal Equality Act according to the Human Rights Campaign.

The resolution requests that certified copies be transmitted to the President, Vice President, congressional leadership, and Hawaii's congressional delegation, with the full text printed in the Congressional Record.