CHAPTER 267

HB 587-FN-A - FINAL VERSION

22mar01...0364h

17may01...0753h

4/18/02 3480s

2may02...3772eba

2002 SESSION

01-0780

10/01

HOUSE BILL 587-FN-A

AN ACT establishing a commission on the status of men.

SPONSORS: Rep. Bickford, Straf 1; Rep. Jacobson, Merr 2; Rep. Dickinson, Carr 2; Rep. Gilmore, Straf 11; Rep. Zolla, Rock 13; Sen. Boyce, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission on the status of men to address issues of cultural bias and stereotyping, health problems unique to men, and methods for encouraging personal growth.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22mar01...0364h

17may01...0753h

4/18/02 3480s

2may02...3772eba

01-0780

10/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

AN ACT establishing a commission on the status of men.

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

267:1 Purpose. The general court recognizes men as an important resource for their families and children and wishes to explore the causes and consequences of a variety of social, economic and health problems currently facing men, and make recommendations for relief. Specifically, the general court recognizes that fatherlessness is a severe social problem and New Hampshire children who have a poor or non-existent relationship with their father are the largest users of state-funded juvenile services. In addition, men whose average life expectancy was formerly on a par with that of women are now dying 10 years sooner with much higher rates of suicide and mortality rates from the 15 leading causes of disease and accidents. And educationally, the general court recognizes the need to address the poor performance of boys in the areas of reading and language skills and increase the grade passage rate for boys while encouraging the pursuit of post-secondary degrees. Therefore, the general court recommends the establishment of a commission on the status of men.

267:2 New Chapter; State Commission on the Status of Men. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 19-H the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 19-I

STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF MEN

19-I:1 Commission Established; Members; Appointment and Vacancy.

I. There is hereby created a state commission on the status of men, hereinafter called the commission, consisting of 7 members.

II. All members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor and council for terms of 3 years each, provided that the initial appointees to the commission shall serve the following terms:

(a) The first 2 persons appointed shall serve one-year terms.

(b) The second 2 persons appointed shall serve 2-year terms.

(c) The last 3 persons appointed shall serve 3-year terms.

III. At least one member shall be invited from the university system of New Hampshire.

IV. If a vacancy occurs on the commission, the governor and council shall appoint a new member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

19-I:2 Compensation. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation and shall not be entitled to reimbursement for expenses but shall be entitled to reimbursement for mileage at the same rate provided for state employees.

19-I:3 Officers. The governor and council shall designate the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer of the commission.

19-I:4 Duties. The duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to:

I. Examining issues and effects of cultural biases and stereotyping beginning with childhood experiences and progress in public schools, and extending to include a study of male suicide and adult concerns such as family relations, promoting education, and policies which bring fathers and children closer together.

II. Studying health problems unique to men or which predominantly affect men, and making appropriate recommendations.

III. Promoting initiatives and programs that will enable men to develop career skills and continue their education so that they become productive and responsible citizens.

19-I:5 Cooperation. The commission shall cooperate with any state or federal agency or any private organization in conducting investigations and studies in the area of the status of men. All state agencies shall assist the commission in carrying out its duties.

19-I:6 Report. The commission shall submit a biennial report of its activities on or before November 1 to the governor and council, the commissioner of administrative services, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house. The report shall include any recommendations the commission finds for the general court to consider.

19-I:7 Funding; Authority to Accept Gifts. The commission may accept any gifts, donations, or grants from any source whatsoever provided the gifts, donations, or grants so received shall be used exclusively in the furtherance of the duties of the commission. No state general funds shall be appropriated to the commission for any purpose.

19-I:8 Records. The commission shall file and keep its records in space and facilities made available for such purposes in the offices of the secretary of state by the secretary of state.

19-I:9 Administratively Attached. The commission shall be administratively attached to the department of administrative services.

267:3 Prospective Repeal of Chapter. RSA 19-I, relative to the state commission on the status of men, is repealed.

267:4 Effective Date.

I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect September 1, 2007.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2002.

(Approved: May 18, 2002)

(Effective Date: I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect September 1, 2007.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect July 1, 2002)