Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Proposes an amendment to Constitution of the State of Hawaii to repeal the exclusive jurisdiction in the internal structure, management, and operation that the University of Hawaii's board of regents holds over the university.

Allows public school students in grades K through 12 to decline participation in dissection, vivisection, and other procedures harmful to animals. Requires schools to make alternative educational projects available, and the board of education to develop rules and give notice to all schools.

Gives DOE authority to acquire, hold title to, and sell, assign, exchange, transfer, convey, lease, sublease, or otherwise dispose of or encumber public school lands. Makes conforming amendments.

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for a comprehensive category of reproductive health services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures. Requires the department of human services to establish and administer a program to reimburse the cost of medically appropriate services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures for individuals who can become pregnant and who would be eligible for medical assistance but for their citizenship status. Prohibits discrimination in the provision of reproductive health care services. Appropriates funds to the department of human services.

Requires the John A. Burns school of medicine to convene a working group to discuss nutrition and lifestyle behavior changes for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Requires a report to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

Establishes threatening to violate privacy as a misdemeanor offense. Expands the offense of violation of privacy in the first degree to specifically include disclosure of revenge pornography. Establishes violation of privacy of a minor, including disclosure of revenge pornography, as a felony offense. Requires that recordings that violate privacy be sealed by the court and be made confidential.

Requires persons convicted of animal cruelty to register with the attorney general. Requires animal shelters, animal breeders, and pet stores to check whether an individual has been convicted of animal abuse when the individual applies to work or volunteer, or purchases or adopts an animal. Establishes penalties. Prevents persons convicted of animal cruelty from possessing, owning, or working in close proximity to animals. Requires police officers to be trained in identifying and investigating animal abuse.

Requires at least one of the three PUC commissioners to be a resident of a county other than the city and county of Honolulu and to receive per diem compensation.

Specifies a customer has the right to rescind a deferred deposit by returning the principal amount used to fund the deferred deposit within a specified time frame. Permits customers to convert a deferred deposit into an installment loan plan in certain circumstances and specifies requirements for the installment loan plan. Protects against harmful collection practices. Defines annual percentage rate. Requires a check casher to post a notice informing customers that additional options may be available for safe, regulated, lower-cost, small dollar loans. Requires a check casher to provide a written agreement to a customer that clearly discloses specific information relating to the cost and fees associated with the deferred deposit, among other things. Caps the annual percentage rate at thirty-six per cent for deferred deposit of a personal check. Permits prepayment of deferred deposit agreements with no additional fees.

Prohibits riders and passengers under ten years of age on motorcycles and motor scooters. Amends requirements for child passenger restraints in motor vehicles. Requires rear facing child safety seats for children under two years of age. Raises fines for violations.