SB 216 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
03/31/05 0983s
04May2005… 1229h
2005 SESSION
01/09
SENATE BILL 216
AN ACT establishing a commission to study area agencies and their role in providing services to New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Sen. Burling, Dist 5; Rep. Almy, Graf 11; Rep. Bleyler, Graf 9; Rep. Naro, Graf 7; Rep. Harding, Graf 11
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
The bill establishes a commission to study the 12 existing area agencies.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/31/05 0983s
04May2005… 1229h
05-0048
01/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five
AN ACT establishing a commission to study area agencies and their role in providing services to New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Purpose. The general court recognizes that a thorough examination of the operation of New Hampshire’s 12 area agencies is necessary to identify administrative and operative efficiencies which may be available for adoption either through private action on the part of such agencies themselves, through state action by rule or statute, or through a combination thereof. Therefore, the general court hereby establishes a commission to identify the essential operations of the area agencies and to also identify ways in which such agencies may operate more efficiently and cost effectively; provided, that it is not the intent of this act to eliminate area agencies, set the number of area agencies, or compromise the services provided by such agencies.
2 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the 12 area agencies that administer programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorder.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.
(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(d) One representative of the New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council, appointed by the council.
(e) Two representatives of area agencies, appointed by the Community Support Network, Inc.
(f) Two public members representing persons with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorder and their families served by the area agencies, one of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives after consultation with the statewide family support council.
(g) A representative of the Disabilities Rights Center, appointed by the executive director.
(h) Two representatives of the business community, neither of whom shall have any affiliations or interests in developmental disabilities, appointed by the governor.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
4 Duties. The commission shall conduct a broad examination of New Hampshire’s 12 area agencies. The commission’s study shall include, but not be limited to a review of the efficiency of the services provided by such agencies and the delivery system of such services. Specifically, the commission shall examine whether there are ways in which the area agencies may operate more efficiently and cost effectively without compromising the services provided by such agencies.
5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
6 Report. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2005.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.