Workplace Bullying Institute Legislative Campaign
The 'HEALTHY WORKPLACE BILL' for Hawaii


For Hawaii residents only

2005 Legislative Activity


Thanks to tireless efforts over the last two years by Jan Roberson of the Maui Committee on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State Legislature is considering the toughest version of an anti-bullying bill to be introduced in the U.S.

It was introduced on Jan. 24, 2005 in both the House, HB 232, and in the Senate, SB 481, with the same language. This allows both chambers to consider the legislation.

Here is the full text of the bill in .pdf format. Download and study it.

Introducers of the Senate version of the bill (SB 481) were: Baker, Chun Oakland, Inouye, Fukunaga
Write, e-mail and call your thanks to these individuals for starting the process and caring. We've assembled all the contact information for introducers in this .pdf document (the same as above).

SB 481 will have to pass by votes in these committees before a Senate floor vote can be taken: (1) Labor and (2) Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

No date has been set for a hearing for SB 481 in the Labor committee. Write, e-mail and call committee members to urge them to consider the bill and pass it on to the Judiciary. There are only four Labor committee members.

The introducers of the House version of the bill (HB 232) are:
Morita, Arakaki, Evans, Hale, Lee, Pine, Shimabukuro, Berg, Caldwell, Green
Write, e-mail and call your thanks to these individuals for starting the process and caring. We've assembled all the contact information for introducers in this .pdf document.

HB 232 will have to pass by votes in these committees before the House floor vote can be taken: (1) Labor and Public Employment, (2) Judiciary, and (3) Finance

On Feb. 4, 2005 the Labor Committee voted to "Hold" the bill. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Caldwell, Nakasone, Chong, M. Oshiro, Fox, Meyer; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Ito, Shimabukuro, Souki. The bill is NOT dead yet in the House.

Opposition has been rasied by State agencies/employers, OSHA and Workers Compensation, all arguing that bullied individuals have adequate opportunities to reverse their situation using existing laws, policies and procedures!

It is imperative that you contact Committee members whose information is included in the list of introducers. Download if you haven't done so already.

2006 Legislative Activity

2007 Legislative Activity