establishing the commission for children's futures.

New Hampshire commission studies children's well-being

Effective upon passage, the law creates New Hampshire's Study Commission for Children's Futures to study children's health and service gaps. Its work covers individualized education programs, psychoactive medicine use, mental health diagnoses and services, and students' awareness of mental health crises. It also studies childhood cancer, long-term diseases, autism, and attention deficit disorder. Other required topics include street gangs, public school violence and its effects, truancy, attendance, harmful childhood experiences, pornography exposure, and youth homelessness. The commission has 21 members: two House members appointed by the Speaker, two senators, and 17 governor appointees. The Senate President appoints one Democratic senator and one Republican senator. Governor appointees come from groups including health professionals, teachers, dietitians, law enforcement, lawmakers, and parents. Members elect a chair, and 11 members form a quorum. The first-named House member calls the first meeting, which must occur within 45 days after the law takes effect. Each November 1, the commission must report findings and any suggested legislation to legislative leaders and clerks, the Governor, and the State Library. Legislative members receive mileage reimbursement at the legislative rate for commission duties; the law does not state that rate.