Hawaii Senate Bill SCR174

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/4/24
• Refer: 4/5/24
• Report Pass: 4/15/24
• Refer: 4/15/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Twenty-first Century Data Governance Task Force To Assess Current Demographic Data Collection, Processing, Retention, And Sharing Procedures Utilized By All State Agencies.

Impact

If enacted, SCR174 could significantly enhance the standardization and accessibility of demographic data collected by state agencies. Currently, there exist discrepancies in how demographic data is managed, leading to inadequacies in targeting public programs to meet the needs of diverse communities. By convening a task force that includes professionals from various relevant sectors, the resolution aims to create a more coherent approach to data that can better inform public policy and initiatives tailored to the unique requirements of different ethnic groups.

Summary

SCR174, a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the Hawaii Legislature, calls for the Department of Health to establish a 'Twenty-First Century Data Governance Task Force'. The purpose of this task force is to evaluate and improve the methods through which state agencies collect, process, retain, and share demographic data. Notably, the resolution emphasizes the complexity of data regarding Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, who together constitute a significant portion (46.5%) of Hawaii's population. It stresses that these communities are often misrepresented as homogeneous, despite their cultural and ethnic diversity.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding SCR174 appears to be supportive among legislators who recognize the necessity of disaggregated data for driving informed decisions in public health and community services. Advocates for the resolution highlight the importance of understanding the distinct needs of various demographic groups to enhance service delivery and equity. However, there may be some contention regarding the resources required to implement these recommendations effectively, which could be a focal point in subsequent discussions.

Contention

A notable point of contention may arise concerning the operational aspects of the task force, including its composition and the timelines for the submission of findings. The resolution requests that a report detailing the task force's findings and recommendations be submitted by a specified date, which implies a level of urgency in addressing the current shortcomings in demographic data management. Discussions may evolve around whether the proposed timeline is sufficient to conduct a comprehensive assessment and to implement the necessary changes.