HB1131 (2008) Detail

Relative to protection of poll workers' employment.


HB 1131 – AS INTRODUCED

2008 SESSION

08-2012

03/05

HOUSE BILL 1131

AN ACT relative to protection of poll workers’ employment.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hall, Hills 5

COMMITTEE: Election Law

ANALYSIS

This bill protects poll workers against negative employment actions for their service on election day.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

08-2012

03/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT relative to protection of poll workers’ employment.

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

1 New Section; Protection of Poll Workers’ Employment; Action Brought by Employee. Amend RSA 658 by inserting after section 8 the following new section:

658:8-a Protection of Poll Workers’ Employment; Action Brought by Employee.

I. An employer shall not deprive an employee of his or her employment, or threaten or coerce him or her regarding his or her employment because the employee serves as a poll worker on election day.

II. If an employer discharges an employee in violation of paragraph I, the employee may, within one year of the discharge, bring a civil action for:

(a) Recovery of wages lost as a result of the violation; and

(b) An order requiring his or her reinstatement.

III. Damages recovered shall not exceed lost wages. If an employee prevails in an action under paragraph II, the employee shall be allowed a reasonable attorney’s fee fixed by the court.

IV. In this paragraph, “poll worker” means any election officer, assistant election official, inspector of election, and any other person charged with performing election-related duties at a polling place.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2009.