NH - NASW Legislative Agenda

Chapter Legislative Priorities
from the Social & Legislative Action Committee (SLAC)

SLAC develops the legislative agenda, with input from various issues committees, and presents the agenda to the Board of Directors for adoption. Review the current Legislative report (PDF 111Kb).

Please contact the office (603-226-7135) or visit www.gencourt.state.nh.us for more information on these bills and ways in which you can actively advocate for them.

2007 Legislative Agenda (Preliminary)
NH-NASW is monitoring the following:

Legislation relative to licensing

• HB 543 defines scope of practice for LADCS

Legislation relative to raising age of minority:

• HB 585 raises age of minority for juvenile delinquency proceedings from 17 to 18

Legislation relative to mental health services:

• HB 740
  

2006 - 2007 Legislative Agenda
NH-NASW opposed HB170 and SB077 and supported the others

Legislation relative to licensing

• HB 170 limits membership of all professional licensing boards and commissions to not more than 1/2 members from such profession. (Killed March 2007)

Legislation relative to health care and health insurance

• HB 228 defines medical necessity under the managed care law; currently each carrier defines it. Signed by the Governor.
• HB 517 establishes a commission to investigate cost drivers in health care. Signed by the Governor
• HB 790 concerns dependent coverage for health insurance and establishes a joint legislative oversight committee on insurance expansion initiatives. Signed by the Governor.
• SB 77 prohibits DHHS from contracting with Planned Parenthood or any other organization that performs abortions. (Killed February 2007).
• SB 215 funding for HIV/AIDS services. Signed by the Governor. HB 583 funding for HIV/AIDS services. Signed by the Governor.

Legislation relative to parental notification

• HB 184 Repeals the parental notification law. Signed by the Governor.

Legislation relative to domestic unions

• HB 437 Permits same sex couples to register a domestic union and have same rights as married couples. Signed by the Governor. Effective 1/1/08.

Legislation relative to employment

• HB 514 increase applicable minimum wage for hourly employees to $6.50 by 9/1/07 and $7.25 by 9/1/08. Tipped employees to be paid at 45% of minimum wage. Signed by the Governor.
• SB 97 concerns the unemployment administrative contributions and the training fund, and transferring the job training program administered by the department of regional community-technical colleges to DRED. Signed by the Governor.

Legislation to establish tuition assistance program for foster children

• SB 168 Signed by the Governor.