HB 408 – AS INTRODUCED
2007 SESSION
05/01
HOUSE BILL 408
AN ACT establishing a council for the homeless.
SPONSORS: Rep. J. Tilton, Merr 6; Rep. Matarazzo, Hills 20; Rep. Wall, Straf 7; Rep. Donovan, Sull 4; Rep. Ryan, Merr 2; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
This bill establishes a council for the homeless.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
07-1081
05/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT establishing a council for the homeless.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Council for the Homeless Established. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 32 the following new section:
126-A:32-a Council for the Homeless.
I. There is established a council for the homeless.
II. The members of the council shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, one from the health, human services and elderly affairs committee, one from the criminal justice and public safety committee, and one from the transportation committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) Three advocates for the homeless and 2 citizens who were formerly homeless, appointed by the governor.
III. Legislative members of the council shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the council.
IV. The council shall:
(a) Examine and monitor the effectiveness and adequacy of existing homeless prevention programs and services, including the emergency shelter program, the emergency shelter and homeless coordination commission, and the homeless youth program, to determine whether, or how, such programs could be changed or expanded to better meet the needs of homeless individuals.
(b) Raise public awareness of the needs of individuals who are or who are at risk of being homeless.
(c) Identify any changes in or additional causes of homelessness, including those caused by the government, and study the effects of homelessness on families and individuals.
(d) Solicit information and testimony from individuals, including individuals who are homeless, and organizations with relevant experience or expertise.
V. If the council learns that there are unusual, unmet emergency needs for shelter, the council chairperson shall report that information by phone, email, and in writing, to the chairperson of the governor’s interagency council on homelessness, the commissioner of the department of health and human services, and the commissioner of the department of safety, so that an emergency plan can be developed and implemented.
VI. The members of the council shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the council shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the council shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Six members of the council shall constitute a quorum.
VII. The council shall submit an annual report of its findings, including the council’s position on any relevant pending legislation, and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the governor’s interagency council on homelessness, and the state library on or before November 1, 2007 and each November 1 thereafter.
2 Review. The council established in section 1 shall be re-evaluated every 2 years for its effectiveness as a forum for communication between the state’s homeless citizens, the governor’s interagency council on homelessness, and state agencies that deal with issues related to homelessness.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.