HB1263: establishing a committee to study the feasibility of creating a trust fund to support a family and disability leave program.

HB 1263 - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-2120

06/10

HOUSE BILL 1263

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of creating a trust fund to support a family and disability leave program.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gile, Merr 38; Rep. DeJoie, Merr 39; Rep. Gargasz, Hills 46; Rep. Seldin, Merr 39; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15

COMMITTEE: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the feasibility of creating a trust fund to support a state program for family and temporary disability leave, and to research funding sources, insurance programs, and tax credits to implement such a program.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-2120

06/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of creating a trust fund to support a family and disability leave program.

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

1 Committee Established; Purpose. There is established a committee to study the feasibility of creating a trust fund to support a paid family and disability leave program. Research shows that such a program can serve to strengthen family life by relieving serious threats to the health and welfare of people caused by insecurity and loss of earnings, reduce the need for public assistance requests, ensure consumer purchasing power, promote greater loyalty to employers, and generally enhance the state's economic climate as well as the physical and mental health, welfare, and security of New Hampshire citizens.

2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, one from the labor, industrial and rehabilitative services committee, one from the commerce committee, and one from the children and family law committee, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Research and recommend funding plans and sources for a paid parental leave program for New Hampshire workers, who meet specific criteria to be eligible for paid leave for up to 6 weeks, to care for newborn or adopted children or a sick family member.

II. Survey insurance programs to identify potential bidders to implement a state temporary disability insurance program to enable New Hampshire workers who meet specific criteria and who volunteer to participate, to be eligible for paid disability leave for up to 12 weeks to care for a personal medical condition.

III. Examine the benefits of tax credits as incentives to employers who have established or who are willing to establish a benefit of paid family leave or temporary disability insurance for up to 6 weeks for employees who meet eligibility requirements and need to care for a newborn or adopted child, a sick family member, or a personal medical condition.

IV. Seek input from, but not limited to:

(a) State agencies, including the departments of labor, employment security, health and human services, and insurance.

(b) Labor, including the State Employees Association.

(c) Employers, specifically those having between 25-50 employees and those having fewer than 25 employees.

(d) Other interested agencies, including the Workforce Opportunity Council, Inc. and family assistance agencies.

(e) New Hampshire workers.

4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5 Report. The committee shall 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, 2004.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.