HB 1469

HB 1469 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

AN ACT establishing a department of youth development services, advisory board, and relative to changing the name of juvenile services officers.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gilman, Graf 1; Rep. Varrell, Rock 9

This bill establishes a department of youth development services advisory board for the purpose of making recommendations to the commissioner relative to programs and services provided to children referred to the department. The bill also changes the title of "juvenile services officer" to "juvenile probation and parole officer."

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT establishing a department of youth development services, advisory board, and relative to changing the name of juvenile services officers.

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

1 Statement of Purpose. The general court hereby states that the change from "juvenile services officer" to "juvenile probation and parole officer" in this act is intended simply to change the job title and does not reflect a change in job responsibilities. It is the specific intent of the general court that juvenile probation and parole officers shall not be eligible for group II retirement benefits within the New Hampshire retirement system, for participation in the law enforcement salary schedule, or for certification or training from the police standards and training council, except as provided in RSA 188-F:32.

2 New Subdivision; Department of Youth Development Services; Advisory Board Established. Amend RSA 621-A by inserting after section 8 the following new subdivision:

621-A:9 Department of Youth Development Services Advisory Board Established; Membership.

I. There is hereby established a department of youth development services advisory board. The board shall act in an advisory capacity and make recommendations to the commissioner relative to programs and services provided to children referred to the department pursuant to RSA 169-B.

(a) Two members from the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the house finance committee, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(c) The commissioner of the department of youth development services or designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member.

(d) The commissioner of the department of health and human services or designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member.

(e) The commissioner of the department of education or designee, who shall serve as an ex officio member.

(f) One district or family court judge, appointed by the administrative justice of the district courts.

(g) Two human services administrators, one from an urban county and one from a rural county, appointed by the executive director or other appropriate appointing authority of the New Hampshire Association of Counties.

(h) Six members, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the council, which shall include 2 members representing the interests of business and industry, 2 parents of children who are receiving or have received services from the department, one member of state or local law enforcement, and one member from the general public.

III. Members of the advisory board shall serve without compensation provided that legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate while attending to the duties of the board.

I. The legislative members and the members listed in RSA 621-A:9, II(c) - (f) shall serve terms which are coterminous with their terms in office. The members listed in RSA 621-A:12, II(g) shall serve for 3 years. Three of the members listed in RSA 621-A:9, II(h) shall serve for 4 years, and 3 members shall serve for 3 years.

II. Each appointed member of the advisory board shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified. The appointment of successors for the filling of vacancies for unexpired terms shall be by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment.

III. The advisory board shall elect its own chairperson and officers annually. The board shall meet monthly, or as deemed necessary, provided that the board shall meet at least once every 3 months.

I. The advisory board shall act in an advisory capacity to assist the commissioner of the department of youth development services relative to programs and services provided to children who are referred to the department. The board may also provide advice and input on fiscal and budgetary matters within the department, the availability of state and federal grants, business partnerships, and other funding sources available to the department.

II. Beginning in December 2000, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a written report to the speaker of the house, the president of the senate, and the governor detailing the activities of the board and any recommendations made by the board to the department.

3 New Hampshire Retirement System; Definitions; Juvenile Probation, and Parole Officers Excluded from Group II Membership. Amend RSA 100-A:1, VII-a (b) to read as follows:

(b) Any bingo or lucky 7 inspector, security officer appointed pursuant to RSA 135:41, any juvenile probation and parole officer, or any person employed in the bureau of trails of the department of resources and economic development; or

4 Youth Development Center; Definitions; Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer Inserted. Amend RSA 621:3, VIII to read as follows:

VIII. "Parole" means a conditional release from the center which allows the child to serve the remainder of his or her commitment outside the center, supervised by a juvenile probation and parole officer, contingent upon satisfactory compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in the parole agreement.

5 Reference Changes. Amend the following RSA provisions by replacing "juvenile services officer" with "juvenile probation and parole officer": RSA 169-B:2, VIII(c); 169-B:9, I; 169-B:9-a; 169-B:10, II; 169-B:19, I(j) the unnumbered concluding paragraph of 169-B:24; 169-B:25; 169-B:30; 169-C:3, XXIV; 169-C:6, I-III; 169-C:34, IV; 169-D:8, II; 169-D:9, I; 169-D:9-a; and 170-G:1, VI.

6 Reference Changes. Amend the following RSA provisions by replacing "juvenile service officers" with "juvenile probation and parole officers": RSA 169-B:35, II; 169-D:2, VI(c); 169-D:25, II; 170-G:3, III; 170-G:4, II-a; 170-G:15; and 170-G:16.