HB 561 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0705
05/08
HOUSE BILL 561
AN ACT establishing a committee to examine workforce and school accommodations for
those with long-term COVID and ME/CFS.
SPONSORS: Rep. W. Thomas, Hills. 12
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to examine workforce and school accommodations for those
with long-term COVID and ME/CFS.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
 HB 561 - AS INTRODUCED
23-0705
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT establishing a committee to examine workforce and school accommodations for
those with long-term COVID and ME/CFS.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to examine workforce and school
2 accommodations for those with long-term COVID and ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic
3 fatigue syndrome).
4 2 Membership and Compensation.
5 I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
6 (a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house
7 of representatives.
8 (b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
9 II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to
10 the duties of the committee.
11 3 Duties. The committee shall examine workforce and school accommodations for those with
12 long-term COVID and ME/CFS. The focus of the study shall be to determine whether legislation
13 could be introduced to provide additional protection in employment and educational settings. The
14 committee may solicit information and testimony from any individual or agency with experience or
15 expertise relevant to the study, including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, disability advocates,
16 and patients. The committee shall hold at least 4 public meetings as part of the study.
17 4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from
18 among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house
19 member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this
20 section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
21 5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed
22 legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house
23 clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.
24 6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.