Revision: Jan. 22, 2013, midnight
HB 403 – AS INTRODUCED
2013 SESSION
01/09
HOUSE BILL 403
AN ACT establishing a commission to study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition.
SPONSORS: Rep. Weed, Ches 16; Rep. Watrous, Merr 16; Rep. Winters, Hills 18; Rep. Berch, Ches 1; Rep. Warden, Hills 39; Rep. O'Flaherty, Hills 12
This bill establishes a commission to study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13-0355
01/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT establishing a commission to study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Commission to Study Death With Dignity for Persons Suffering From A Terminal Condition. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 126-V the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 126-W
COMMISSION TO STUDY DEATH WITH DIGNITY FOR PERSONS
SUFFERING FROM A TERMINAL CONDITION
126-W:1 Commission to Study Death With Dignity for Persons Suffering From a Terminal Condition; Membership; Duties.
I. There is established a commission to study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition. The members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives one of whom shall be from the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee and one of whom shall be from the house judiciary committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services, or designee.
(d) The attorney general, or designee.
(e) A representative of the New Hampshire Medical Society, appointed by the society.
(f) A representative of the New Hampshire Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, appointed by the organization.
(g) A public member, 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.
III. The commission shall study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition. The commission’s study shall include, but not be limited to, a review of other state’s laws and previous bills proposed on this issue in New Hampshire. The commission may solicit information from any person or entity it deems appropriate to its study.
IV. 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 house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
V. The commission shall report its findings 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, and the state library on or before November 1, 2013.
2 Repeal. RSA 126-W:1, relative to the commission to study death with dignity for persons suffering from a terminal condition, is repealed.
3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2013.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.