Bill > SB2852

This bill makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for any place of public accommodation, such as a business or service open to the public, to deny individuals with disabilities full and equal access to their services, information, and facilities by using technology that is not accessible. "Information and communication technology" refers to any electronic tools used to create, store, display, or transmit data, including websites, software applications, kiosks, and computers. "Accessible" means that people with disabilities can use and understand this technology as easily as those without disabilities. The bill sets specific deadlines for compliance: starting July 1, 2027, public accommodations with 16 or more employees must ensure their technology is accessible, and by July 1, 2028, all public accommodations, regardless of size, must do the same. There are some exceptions for archived content, older electronic documents, and individualized secured documents, and businesses are not required to comply if it would cause an "undue burden" or fundamentally change their technology. The bill also clarifies that meeting the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is considered accessible.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2852&year=2026