CHAPTER 373
HB 306 – FINAL VERSION
21Mar2007… 0530h
27Jun2007… 2157cofc
27Jun2007… 2383eba
2007 SESSION
05/10
HOUSE BILL 306
COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
This bill establishes a 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
21Mar2007… 0530h
27Jun2007… 2157cofc
27Jun2007… 2383eba
07-0888
05/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a task force on work and family.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
373:1 Findings and Purpose. The government has a stake in protecting New Hampshire’s competitive economic advantage. In 2007, New Hampshire families are working hard, but facing social, cultural, and financial obstacles that interfere with their ability to manage economic needs as well as attend to the caretaking needs of their families. There is a marked decline in labor force participation among young adults, particularly those 25 to 35 years of age who are leaving New Hampshire. This, combined with the “mommy drain” (mothers who are leaving or exiting the workforce) and the growing wage inequality across levels of educational attainment, is leading to a serious depletion of intellectual and human capital that can no longer be ignored.
373:2 Task Force Established. There is established a task force on work and family, the purpose of which is to identify the multiple barriers which keep New Hampshire workers from achieving economic security and maximizing their contributions to the state’s economy as well as attending to family responsibilities.
373:3 Membership and Compensation.
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) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) One member appointed by the governor.
(d) A member of AARP, appointed by that organization.
(e) A representative of Early Learning NH, appointed by that organization.
(f) A representative of the commission on the status of women, appointed by the commission.
(g) A representative of the commission on the status of men, appointed by the commission.
(h) A representative of the New Hampshire Child Care Resource and Referral Network, appointed by that organization.
(i) The commissioner of the department of employment security, or designee.
(j) The commissioner of labor, or designee.
(k) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(l) A representative of the New Hampshire Women’s Lobby, appointed by that organization.
(m) A representative of the New Hampshire Women’s Policy Institute, appointed by that organization.
(n) A representative of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, appointed by the association.
(o) A representative of the Small Business Administration of New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.
(p) A representative of a local chamber of commerce, appointed by the governor.
(q) A representative of the Greater New Hampshire Human Resource Association, appointed by the association.
(r) A representative of the university of New Hampshire, Carsey Institute, appointed by the institute.
(s) A representative of the New Hampshire Children’s Trust Fund, appointed by that organization.
(t) A representative of Plus Time NH, appointed by that organization.
(u) A representative of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, appointed by the executive director.
(v) A representative of the university of New Hampshire cooperative extension, appointed by the extension.
(w) A member of the Women’s Business Center, appointed by that organization.
(x) A representative of Child and Family Services, appointed by that organization.
(y) A representative of the New Hampshire Children’s Alliance, appointed by that organization.
(z) The commissioner of the department of education, or designee.
(aa) A member of the Workforce Opportunity Council, appointed by the council’s chairperson.
(bb) A member of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, appointed by the chapter president.
II. Legislative members of the task force shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the task force.
373:4 Duties.
I. The task force shall:
(a) Identify groups with an interest in resolving specific work-family issues and devise ways to bring them together to promote mutual understanding.
(b) Collect data and information concerning work-family issues, including employer policies and practices that enable employees to balance work responsibilities with family commitments.
(c) Examine possible incentives that could be initiated by the state to encourage the successful policies which have been identified as effective.
(d) Consider changes to statutes or rules which would allow for greater flexibility on the part of businesses to accommodate the changing needs of employees and their families.
(e) Provide public education on work and family issues and on the need for public policies and workplace practices that support the well-being of families.
II. The task force shall hold at least 3 hearings in different geographic regions of the state to solicit information and testimony from employers, employees, state agencies, and interested councils and organizations.
373:5 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. The first meeting of the task force shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Twelve members of the task force shall constitute a quorum.
373:6 Report. The task force shall submit an interim report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2007 and shall submit a final report on or before November 1, 2008.
373:7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: July 18, 2007
Effective: July 18, 2007