HONOLULU (AP) — Just as trial was about to start in lawsuit claiming Hawaii discriminates against drivers with limited English skills, a settlement has been reached.
HONOLULU (AP) — Just as trial was about to start in lawsuit claiming Hawaii discriminates against drivers with limited English skills, a settlement has been reached.
A lawsuit filed in 2013 by Faith Action for Community Equity was based on Hawaii’s English-only policy for obtaining driver’s licenses. The organization argued that not allowing licensing tests in languages other than English is discriminatory.
The lawsuit persisted even after the state last year began offering tests in various languages.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin Thursday. According to court records, both sides settled on Wednesday.
A plaintiffs’ attorney declined to reveal settlement terms, citing a joint media release that will be issued later.
State attorneys didn’t immediately comment.
The Justice Department intervened, citing concerns that Hawaii took more than five years to offer translated exams.