Men's Committee Bill Passes NH House

Submitted by Scott on Fri, 2001-03-30 23:34

A group of pro-male activists led by the New Hampshire chapter of NCFC has been making extensive progress in the NH legislature. Earlier we reported that a report was written up on the Status of Men in NH, and as of late the group has been pushing for a full-fledged Commission on the Status of Men. They have just reached a major success, having Bill HB587 passed in the House by a vote of 182 to 145. Read the text of the bill by clicking "Read More" below.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">HB 587-FN-A - AS
AMENDED BY THE HOUSE


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">22mar01...0364h


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2001
SESSION


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> name=P6_62>01-0780


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">10/01


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">HOUSE
BILL style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
587-FN-A



style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">AN
ACT establishing a commission on the status of men, and making an appropriation
therefor.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> name=P13_183>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


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> name=P15_326>COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> name=P18_376>AMENDED ANALYSIS


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">An appropriation for
each of the next 2 fiscal years is made from the general fund for the purposes
of the commission.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The commission is
terminated on September 1, 2009.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">- - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 9pt">Explanation: Matter
added to current law appears in bold italics.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 9pt">Matter removed from
current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 9pt">Matter which is either
(a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">22mar01...0364h


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">01-0780


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">10/01


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">STATE OF NEW
HAMPSHIRE


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the Year of Our
Lord Two Thousand One



style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">AN ACT establishing a
commission on the status of men, and making an appropriation
therefor.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Be it Enacted by the
Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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, the health of 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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2 New Chapter; name=P47_2480>State Commission on the Status of Men. Amend RSA by inserting
after chapter 19-H the following new chapter:


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">CHAPTER
19-I


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> name=P49_2600>STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF MEN name=P49_2637>


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">19-I:1 Commission
Established; Members; Appointment and Vacancy.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I. There is hereby
created a state commission on the status of men, hereinafter called the
commission, consisting of 7 members.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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:


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(a) The first 2
persons appointed shall serve one-year terms.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(b) The second 2
persons appointed shall serve 2-year terms.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(c) The last 3
persons appointed shall serve 3-year terms.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">III. At least one
member shall be invited from the university system of New Hampshire.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">19-I:3 Officers. The
governor and council shall designate the chairperson, vice-chairperson,
secretary, and treasurer of the commission.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">19-I:4 Duties. The
duties of the commission shall include, but not be limited to:


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">II. Studying health
problems unique to men or which predominantly affect men, and making appropriate
recommendations.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">19-I:7 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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">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.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">19-I:9
Administratively Attached. The commission shall be administratively attached to
the department of administrative services.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">3 Prospective Repeal
of Chapter. RSA 19-I, relative to the state commission on the status of men, is
repealed.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">4 Appropriation. The
sum of $69,561 is hereby appropriated to the department of administrative
services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 and $62,008 for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2003 for the purposes of this act. The governor is
authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">5 Effective Date.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I. Section 3 of this
act shall take effect September 1, 2009.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">II. The remainder of
this act shall take effect July 1, 2001.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">LBAO


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">01-0780


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1/31/01


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">HB 586-FN-A - FISCAL
NOTE



style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">AN ACT establishing a
commission on the status of men, and making an appropriation
therefor.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">FISCAL
IMPACT:



style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Department of
Administrative Services stated this bill would increase state general fund
expenditures by $69,561 in FY 2002, $62,008 in FY 2003, $64,567 in FY 2004, and
$67,237 in FY 2005. There will be no fiscal impact on state, county and local
revenue or county and local expenditures.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This bill
appropriates $50,000 each year in FY 2002 and FY 2003 in state general funds to
the Department of Administrative Services for the purposes of this act.


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">METHODOLOGY:



style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Department stated
this bill would establish a commission on the status of men and appropriate
$50,000 from the general fund in FY 2002 and FY 2003 for the purposes of the
commission. The Department states in order for the commission to fulfill its
mission, including the submission of a biennial report, an executive director
position (LG 24), office space, equipment and supplies will be needed. In
addition, commission members will receive mileage reimbursement (currently $.345
per mile). The Department assumes annual steps for the executive director,
benefits at 32% of salary, mileage increases of $.005 annually, and a 3% annual
increase for rent, telephone/fax services, and supplies. The costs are estimated
as follows:


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">FY2002 FY2003 FY2004
FY2005


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Salary (LG24) $35,334
$36,933 $38,610 $40,365


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Benefits (32%) 11,307
11,819 12,355 12,917


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Mileage 3,312 3,360
3,408 3,456


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Rent 4,608 4,746
4,889 5,035


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Supplies 4,000 4,120
4,244 4,371


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Telephone/Fax 1,000
1,030 1,061 1,093


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Office Equipment
5,000 0 0 0


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Computer Equip.
5,000 0 0 0


style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Century Schoolbook'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Total Costs $69,561
$62,008 $64,567 $67,237



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