Informing the Legislature that on July 5, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3290 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 204).

This bill directs the Disability and Communication Access Board to form a working group to study the current state of American Sign Language interpreting services in Hawaii. The group will include representatives from state agencies, a university professor, a deaf and blind task force member, and a practicing interpreter to investigate ways to improve service provision. Members will serve without pay but receive expense reimbursements and must submit their findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2024. The working group is authorized to propose new legislation based on its study and will be dissolved on June 30, 2025. This measure aims to address recruitment challenges and ensure better access to interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.