NH
New Hampshire House Bill HB157

New Hampshire 2024 Regular Session

New Hampshire House Bill HB157

Introduced
1/3/23  

Caption

Relative to the joint committee on legislative facilities and sexual harassment policies.

Impact

The implications of HB 157 are significant for the legislative framework around sexual harassment policies. It seeks to ensure that sexual harassment complaints are handled by an independent human resources professional, thereby reducing potential conflicts of interest that could arise from connections with leadership roles. The bill mandates that the committee adopts a policy consistent with best practices while maintaining transparency by requiring the policy to be posted online, which is a step towards greater accountability.

Summary

House Bill 157 seeks to amend existing laws concerning the operations of the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities, specifically outlining the committee's power and duties in relation to sexual harassment policies within the general court. The bill modifies the process by which the committee reviews and adopts sexual harassment policies, aiming to enhance the procedural integrity and effectiveness of these policies under legislative oversight. By establishing clearer guidelines, the bill intends to foster a safer and more accountable legislative environment.

Contention

While HB 157 aims to modernize and improve legislative practices regarding sexual harassment, it may face scrutiny regarding the adequacy of its provisions and how effectively it addresses the complexities of such policies. Critics may question whether the changes proposed are sufficient, particularly if they feel the current structures in place do not address underlying issues robustly. Furthermore, the effectiveness of mandatory training for legislators and staff might also be a point of debate, with discussions likely centering around what constitutes proper training and enforcement.

Companion Bills

NH HB157

Carry Over Relative to the joint committee on legislative facilities and sexual harassment policies.

Previously Filed As

NH HB157

Relative to the joint committee on legislative facilities and sexual harassment policies.

NH HB536

Relative to the chartered public school joint legislative oversight committee, and relative to chartered public school use of unused district facilities.

NH HB134

Extending the public employees labor relations act to employees of the general court and relative to the duties of the joint committee on legislative facilities.

NH HB384

Relative to building a new legislative parking garage and making an appropriation therefor, renaming the capital project overview committee, and establishing the joint legislative parking garage oversight commission.

NH SB84

Relative to legislative study committees and commissions.

NH HB322

Relative to establishing a committee to study the New Hampshire board of medicine.

NH HB358

Relative to the filing and adoption of proposed administrative rules and relative to overpayment of unemployment compensation and relative to policies relating to nursing mothers.

NH HB655

Relative to the office of professional licensure and certification.

NH HB323

Relative to establishing a committee on emerging medical technologies.

NH HB492

Requiring the department of education to provide the house and senate standing committees responsible for education with copies of the laws and rules relative to education.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.