Posted on: Monday, January 20, 2003

Legislative women unveil safety proposals

By B.J. Reyes
Associated Press

Workers who need time off to care for seriously ill relatives could qualify for as much as six weeks of paid leave under a proposal unveiled by the Women's Legislative Caucus.

"It's such a devastating situation," said Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-50th (Kailua, Mokapu), of having to care for a loved one. "We've got to be there for people."

The legislative package introduced Friday by the 21 women of the House and Senate focuses on areas of health and safety, economics and well-being and other issues.

Other proposals highlighted Friday included a measure aimed at protecting potential mail-order brides, providing emergency contraception and supporting long-term care.

While the caucus has no specific proposal for long-term care, Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), said "we are supporting the concept of long-term care in the caucus, and we're hopeful that a solution will be found."

Under the emergency contraception proposal, women would have more access to measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Pharmacists would be allowed, in consultation with doctors, to dispense emergency contraception to women within a 72-hour period.

The measure related to international matchmaking organizations was first announced after a three-day Globalization and Trafficking Conference in Honolulu in November. It would protect potential mail-order brides from being paired with an abusive spouse, Lee said.

Under the measure, international matchmaking organizations would have to provide women they recruit with a potential suitor's arrest record and criminal background in her native language.

Lee said these women often lack the resources to conduct background checks on their own.

Hawai'i would be the second state, after Washington, to enact such legislation.