15may03... 1670eba

2003 SESSION

03-0705

05/01

HOUSE BILL 225

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill extends the task force on deafness and hearing loss to November 1, 2005 and amends the task force's membership and duties.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15may03... 1670eba

03-0705

05/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

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

117:1 Statement of Findings. The general court finds that there is a need for licensed interpreters to provide individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing with access to state and local government. Providing licensed interpreters to facilitate interaction with state and local government is one means of ensuring that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are not discriminated against on the basis of their disability and that they receive the protection all applicable state and federal laws.

117:2 New Subparagraph; Task Force on Deafness and Hearing Loss; Membership. Amend 2000, 234:2, I, as amended by 2001, 177:2, by inserting after subparagraph (s) the following new subparagraph:

(t) The executive director of the Disabilities Rights Center.

117:3 Task Force on Deafness and Hearing Loss; Duties. 2000, 234:4, as amended by 2001, 177:3, is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

234:4 Duties. The task force shall:

I. Recommend, where applicable, statutes, rules, policies, and education programs necessary to successfully provide New Hampshire citizens who are deaf or heard of hearing with access to competent interpreters at all levels of local and state government.

II. Recommend legislation and identify funding sources for interpreters by working in collaboration with the following agencies and organizations:

(a) The governor's commission on disability.

(b) The Disabilities Rights Center.

(c) Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Inc.

(d) The department of health and human services.

(e) The department of safety.

(f) The department of corrections.

(g) The department of education.

(h) The department of justice.

117:4 Extension of Task Force on Deafness and Hearing Loss. Amend 2000, 234:5-a, as inserted by 2001, 177:4, to read as follows:

234:5-a Extension of Task Force; [Final Report] Reporting Requirements. The task force shall remain in effect until November 1, [2001] 2005, and its members shall continue to serve until November 1, [2001] 2005. The task force shall submit interim reports on its activities and progress to the governor and council, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate on November 1, 2003 and November 1, 2004. The task force shall submit its final report and recommendations, including proposals for legislation, to the governor and council, the speaker of the house, and the president of the senate on or before November 1, [2001] 2005.

117:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

(Approved: Enacted in accordance with Article 44, Part II, N.H. Constitution, without signature of Governor, June 9, 2003)

(Effective Date: August 8, 2003)