HB 0744

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of a state pilot program for family and disability leave.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gile, Merr 16; Rep. Seldin, Merr 17; Rep. M. Fuller Clark, Rock 36; Sen. Wheeler, Dist 21

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

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a committee to study the feasibility of a state pilot program for family and disability leave.

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

1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study 3 recommendations considered as possibilities for a paid family and disability leave pilot program. Research shows that such a program can serve to ensure consumer purchasing power, 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, 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.

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

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

I. Research and recommend funding sources for a paid parental leave pilot program for New Hampshire workers, who meet specific criteria to be eligible for paid leave for up to 12 weeks, to care for newborn or adopted children or a sick family member.

II. Survey insurance programs and recommend potential bidders to implement a state temporary disability insurance pilot 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 12 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.

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

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

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, 2002.

The Department of Employment Security has determined this bill will increase state-restricted revenue and expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2002 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or expenditures.

The Department of Employment Security stated this bill provides a new wage replacement benefit for employees of firms employing ten or more workers who take leave for reasons covered by the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). An indeterminable increase in state expenditures for administrative and benefit purposes will be incurred. These expenditures will be paid for out of the family and disability leave trust fund. The employees will pay all revenue deposited into the disability leave trust fund.

The Department of Labor stated this bill will have no fiscal impact on the Department. The new program is employee funded.