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Friday, April 23, 2010,

Testifier: Jean Aoki, Legislative Committee, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HB1212, HD1

Dear Representative, I realize that this is very late in the process to try to stop the enactment of a bill, but it wasn't until I started looking under current hearings and noticed a couple of bills that had to do with information practices which I had overlooked that I was aware of H.B. 1212. HB 1212, HD1, SD1, CD1, lists examples of information in which individuals have significant privacy interests and therefore need not be disclosed to the public. Vital Information withheld from the public have the potential to harm many members of the public as has been seen recently in the Toyota automobile case, or the contaminated food products, etc. When complaints from customers of licensed professionals are reported, we expect DCCA to act in the best interest of the public while guarding the professionals from unwarranted, frivolous or even malicious complaints. From what I have read from DCCA's prior testimony, they seem to be aware of their responsibilities both to the public and to the licensed professionals. They seem determined to protect the professionals from unfounded accusations even as they try to protect the public from unscrupulous or careless service providers. I tried calling them to verify my understanding, but it was furlough Friday much to my regret. Under these circumstances, we feel no need to amend Section 92F-14. The amendment will only keep vital information from members of the public, not only handicapping them in their attempt to select trustworthy service providers, but further in thinking them all equally able simply because no complaints are listed. The supporters of HB1212, CD1 cite the 5-year posting of complaints even when they are resolved as a reason for amending this bill. An amendment correcting the 5-year posting of even resolved complaints could easily be accomplished without harming the public. Thank you for your consideration of this request.