SB 503  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-3034

04/08

 

SENATE BILL 503

 

AN ACT relative to the task force on work and family.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Rep. Wallner, Merr. 10; Rep. Mulligan, Graf. 12; Rep. Diggs, Graf. 16

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill amends the membership, duties, and quorum of the task force on work and family.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-3034

04/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT relative to the task force on work and family.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Task Force on Work and Family.  RSA 276-B:2 and RSA 276-B:3 are repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

276-B:2  Membership; Compensation; Terms.  

I.  The members of the task force shall be as follows:

(a)  Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c)  The commissioner of the department of employment security, or designee.

(d)  The commissioner of labor, or designee.

(e)  The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.

(f)  The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.

(g)  The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.

(h)  A representative of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, appointed by the association.

(i)  A representative of the HR State Council of New Hampshire, appointed by the council.

(j)  A representative of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, appointed by that organization.

(k)  A representative of the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, appointed by that organization.

(l)  A representative of Stay Work Play New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

(m)  A representative of ABLE NH, appointed by that organization.

(n)  A representative of the New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging, appointed by that organization.

(o)  A representative of the university of New Hampshire, Carsey Institute, appointed by the institute.

(p)  A representative of Waypoint, appointed by that organization.

(q)  A representative of the Children's Alliance of New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

(r)  A member of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, appointed by the chapter president.

(s)  A representative of the New Hampshire Women's Foundation, appointed by that organization.  

II.  Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.

III.  Members of the task force shall be appointed as provided in paragraph I.  Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

276-B:3  Duties.  

I.  The task force shall:

(a)  Collect data and information concerning work-family issues, including employer policies and practices that enable employees to balance work responsibilities and family commitments and also help employers improve productivity.

(b)  Study the availability of family friendly benefits to the New Hampshire workforce, including paid sick days, short term disability, insurance, flexible work schedules and arrangements including early notice of work schedules, and other family friendly workplace policies.

(c)  Study workforce participation of New Hampshire caregivers, including parents of young children, elderly grandparents, caregivers of family members with disabilities, and existing barriers to workforce participation and advancement for caregivers.

(d)  Research programs and benefits that attract and retain young professionals and skilled workers and also provide opportunities for elders to continue working on reduced schedules.

(e)  Provide public education on work-family issues and on the need for workplace policies and practices that support the well-being of families and promote a strong and prosperous economy.

(f)  Promote public and employer education regarding the cost of a basic family budget in New Hampshire, including housing, health care, food, child care, student loan and other debt, and transportation.

(g)  Explore opportunities to collect and provide data from all departments participating in the task force.

(h)  Seek federal and private funds if needed to complete the work of the task force.

II.  The task force shall periodically hold hearings in different geographic regions of the state to solicit information and testimony from employers, employees, state agencies, and interested councils and organizations.

III.  The task force shall host a legislative education session on the basic family budget needs of New Hampshire families, median incomes, and geographic variation within the state.  

2  Task Force on Work and Family; Quorum.  Amend RSA 276-B:4 to read as follows:

276-B:4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the first-named house member and shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Thereafter the task force shall meet at the call of the chair.  [Twelve] Seven members of the task force shall constitute a quorum.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 276-B:4
Ought to Pass: 276-B:4