HB 1531: Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-     State of emergency; official announcements; American Sign Language interpreter; requirements.  (a)  Whenever the governor or mayor, as applicable, declares a state of emergency pursuant to this chapter, the governor or mayor shall provide an American Sign Language interpreter who is certified by a nationally or state-recognized credentialing authority at each live broadcast press conference during the state of emergency.  To the greatest extent possible, the governor or mayor shall ensure that the American Sign Language interpreter is physically positioned in a manner so that the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are always visible during a television or internet broadcast of the press conference.

     (b)  The governor or mayor, as applicable, shall provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window.  The picture-in-picture window shall be at least one-quarter of the size of the primary video and large enough to clearly see the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands.  The interpreter shall not be blocked or covered by captions, graphics, or other on-screen text, which shall be repositioned if necessary.  A broadcaster that rebroadcasts the official announcement shall not be required to independently generate or insert this accessibility feature."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter

Description:

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county, during a state of emergency, to provide an American Sign Language interpreter at each live broadcast press conference.  Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window, and does not require broadcasters that rebroadcast the official announcement to independently generate or insert this accessibility feature.  Requires, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-     State of emergency; official announcements; American Sign Language interpreter; requirements.  (a)  Whenever the governor or mayor, as applicable, declares a state of emergency pursuant to this chapter, the governor or mayor shall provide an American Sign Language interpreter who is certified by a nationally or state recognized credentialing authority at each live broadcast press conference during the state of emergency.  To the greatest extent possible, the governor or mayor shall ensure that the American Sign Language interpreter is physically positioned in a manner so that the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are always visible during a television or internet broadcast of the press conference.

     (b)  The governor or mayor, as applicable, shall provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window.  A broadcaster that rebroadcasts the official announcement shall not be required to independently generate or insert this accessibility feature."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter

Description:

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency.  Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast.  Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window, and does not require broadcasters that rebroadcast the official announcement to independently generate or insert this accessibility feature.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to emergency announcements.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-    Official announcements; proclamations; emergencies; American Sign Language interpreter; display; requirements; picture-in-picture required.  (a)  Whenever the governor or mayor, as applicable, makes a proclamation pursuant to this chapter, the governor or mayor shall provide an American Sign Language interpreter who is certified by a nationally or state recognized credentialing authority at each live broadcast press conference during the state of emergency.  To the greatest extent possible, the governor or mayor shall ensure that the American Sign Language interpreter is physically positioned in a manner so that the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are always visible during a television or internet broadcast of the press conference.

     (b)  A news media outlet that broadcasts or rebroadcasts an official announcement made live by an elected official or head of an emergency agency via television or the Internet shall display the American Sign Language interpreter in an on-screen picture‑in‑picture window for the full duration of the announcement."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Emergency; Official Announcements; Broadcast Media; American Sign Language; Sign Language Interpreter

Description:

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency.  Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast.  Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1146-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1531

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1531, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Governor or mayor of a county, during a state of emergency, to:

     (1)  Provide an American Sign Language interpreter at each live broadcast press conference;

     (2)  Ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during a television or internet broadcast of the press conference; and

     (3)  Provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window, without requiring broadcasters that rebroadcast the official announcement to independently generate or insert the accessibility feature.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaiʻi Association of Broadcasters, Inc; Roots Reborn; El Pueblo en Acción Maui; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency.

     Your Committee finds that individuals who rely on American Sign Language often face barriers accessing real time emergency information due to inconsistent visibility, inadequate interpreter placement, or the absence of an interpreter altogether.  These barriers can delay the ability of deaf and hard of hearing individuals to receive time sensitive instructions and may jeopardize public safety during rapidly evolving emergencies.  This measure improves equitable access to emergency information and strengthens statewide communication readiness.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring that the picture-in-picture window be at least one-quarter of the size of the primary video and large enough to clearly see the interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands, and that the interpreter not be blocked or covered by captions, graphics, or other on-screen text, which must be repositioned if necessary; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests that, should this measure move forward, an effective date of July 1, 2027, be considered to provide sufficient time for implementation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1531, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1531, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  191-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 1531

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 1531 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Governor or county mayor, as applicable, to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency;

     (2)  Require the Governor or county mayor to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast; and

     (3)  Require a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in an on-screen picture-in-picture window during broadcasts or rebroadcasts of official emergency announcements.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; and five individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency; Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission; Hawaiʻi Association of Broadcasters, Inc.; Hawaii News Now; Island News; and KHON2.

     Your Committee finds that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and rely on American Sign Language did not receive effective communication during recent public emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, August 2023 Maui wildfires, and the tsunami warning in July 2025.  Significant communication barriers were reported, including the lack of qualified interpreters, interpreters being positioned too far from speakers, interpreters being partially obstructed or poorly lit, and television broadcasts failing to ensure interpreters were clearly visible on screen.  As a result, many individuals who rely on American Sign Language were unable to readily access crucial, time-sensitive information necessary to protect their health and safety.  This measure seeks to avoid such issues in the future and ensure individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing get the timely information they need during emergencies.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Rather than requiring a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in an on-screen picture-in-picture window during broadcasts or rebroadcasts of official emergency announcements, requiring the Governor or a county mayor, as applicable, to provide a primary pool feed for any live official announcement that includes an American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window;

     (2)  Explicitly providing that broadcasters that rebroadcast the official announcement shall not be required to independently generate or insert the accessibility feature identified in paragraph (1);

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1531, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1531, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,