HI SR92

Requests the Department of Health to establish a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing (condominiums and planned communities) not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act.

Working group would be chaired by the Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board and include representatives from Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners.

Study would examine disputes between homeowners and associations over accessibility modifications, association responsibilities for common area accessibility, and effects of barriers on residents' ability to age in place.

Working group would assess feasibility of a state matching assistance fund or grant program to help offset accessibility modification costs, including various funding models with income-based eligibility and cost-sharing ratios.

Report with findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, due to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the Regular Session of 2027.