sb 0132

CHAPTER 152

SB 132 - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to coordinate a comprehensive review of demographic trends in the New Hampshire population and the impact of such trends.

SPONSORS: Sen. McCarley, Dist 6; Rep. Teschner, Graf 5

This bill directs the department of health and human services to coordinate a comprehensive review of demographic trends in the New Hampshire population and the impact of such trends.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to coordinate a comprehensive review of demographic trends in the New Hampshire population and the impact of such trends.

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

152:1 Statement of Purpose. The general court is aware of data which indicate that over the next 25 years the percentage of the New Hampshire population that is 65 years of age or older will increase substantially. Such an increase could potentially affect many sectors of the economic, social, and governmental systems within New Hampshire, including health care, housing, transportation, social services, business, workforce development, and the state budget. The general court believes that the collection and maintenance of accurate data about demographic trends is a necessary first step to a comprehensive analysis of the trends and the consequences of such trends and the development of a plan to address the impact of the trends. The general court recognizes the need for broad legislative and community involvement in the development and analysis of relevant data and in the creation and monitoring of a comprehensive plan to respond to the changing demographics. The general court recognizes the ongoing work of the department of health and human services on issues related to long-term care and services for the elderly. The department's recent work on such issues includes Shaping Tomorrow's Choices (A Report to the New Hampshire General Court on Long Term Care), SB 409 (1998, 388) and SB 324 (2000, 255). The general court hereby directs the department, with the assistance of other state agencies, and the participation of members of the general court, representatives of business and industry, service providers, consumer and advocacy groups, and the general public to collect and analyze relevant demographic data concerning the projected aging of the New Hampshire population and the impact of the demographic data through 2025 and to report periodically to the general court on actions taken pursuant to this responsibility.

152:2 New Paragraph; Demographic Study Required. Amend RSA 126-A:4 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:

V.(a) The department shall collect relevant demographic data concerning the projected increase in the population of New Hampshire that is 65 years of age or older and analyze the impact of such data and projections over the period through 2025 on the economic, social, and governmental systems within New Hampshire, including health care, housing, transportation, business, employment, the economy, and the state budget.

(b) In the development and analysis of the demographic data and projections, the department:

(1) May request and shall receive the assistance of all other state agencies, including the office of state planning, and the departments of transportation, administrative services, and resources and economic development.

(2) Shall solicit assistance and input from representatives from the general court, business and industry, service providers, consumer and advocacy groups, and members of the general public.

(c) The department shall report on or before November 1, 2001 and thereafter on or before November 1 in odd-numbered years to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house relative to the progress of its efforts under this paragraph and such report shall include recommendations for legislation. The final report shall be submitted on or before November 1, 2007.