Introduced on July 31. Gives effect to the govt’s decision in Oct 2013 to improve the range of measures available to protect the public from the harm associated with infectious diseases. This takes in some aspects of the stalled Public Health Bill. It also bans the commercial provision of ultra-violet sun tan treatment to those under 18. Received its first reading on Nov 6 with general support and sent to the Health Committee for consideration. Reported back to Parliament on May 1 with amendments though the 18 year old age limit for sun tanning treatment remains. Labour, NZ First and the Greens dissented saying all cosmetic ultra-violet sun tan treatment should be banned. Completed its second reading on May 27 with general support though opposition parties were still pushing for a ban on sun tan treatment. The committee stage was completed on May 11 with Labour amendments to ban sun beds defeated. Third reading interrupted on June 9 and completed on June 30 with NZ First abstaining. Health (Protection) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Nov 22 and given first reading under urgency with National and Act opposed. The bill removes current thresholds that limit worker access to health and safety representatives and health and safety committees.  Sent to the education and workforce committee and reported back on May 5 with minor amendments and National filing a minority report in opposition. Second reading on May 17 with National and Act opposed. Committee stage on May 31 and third reading on June 8 with no change in parties’ positions.

Health and Safety at Work (Health and Safety Representatives and Committees) Amendment Bill

Bill drawn from the ballot on Feb 22 in the name of Harete Hipango. The Bill amends the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to allow volunteer associations that employ a person or persons for not greater than 100 hours per week to be excluded from the definition of a person conducting a business or undertaking. First reading debate interrupted on April 4 with Labour indicating it would vote against the Bill. First reading completed on May 2, Labour and Greens opposed, but the Bill progressed with National, NZ First and ACT in favour. Referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. Report back extended from Nov 2 Nov 9. Reported back on Nov 8 with all parties agree it should not proceed. Labour and the Greens said it is doubtful the bill would achieve its stated purpose for any smaller voluntary organisations that are currently finding it difficult to comply with the law. It would make a complex and imperfect law worse. They said the Government “is thinking about a wider review of the HSW Act and we would encourage him to include these issues”.  Voted down by Labour, NZ First and the Greens on April 3.Health and Safety at Work (Volunteer Associations) Amendment Bill

Described by the govt as the biggest health and safety reforms in 20 years it intends to put more onus and legal requirements on managers and company directors to manage risks and keep their workers safe. It also establishes stronger penalties, enforcement tools, graduated offence categories and court powers. The bill will be followed by two phases of regulations, expected to be released for consultation later this year. The first reading of the Health and Safety Reform Bill was completed on a voice vote on March 13 2014 despite Opposition criticism of details in the bill. Submissions closed on April 11. Report due back by March 30 2015. Report deadline extended to May 29. Report back again extended to July 27 due to disagreement in the National caucus with some MPs arguing it is too prescriptive and heavy handed. Reported back on July 24 with a raft of changes including more flexibility and exemptions for low risk small businesses. Officer duties will now apply only with a very senior governance role with significant influence over the management of the business. Labour withdrew support for the bill saying it had been substantially watered down. Regulations to run alongside the legislation are still being drawn up and ministers are signalling further changes in the committee stage. Completed second reading on July 30 angrily objected to by Labour and the Greens. NZ First also opposed mainly on the grounds of additional expense to small and medium employers. Government indicated it would release more detail about regulations over which industries would be declared safe and other matters before the committee stage. Bill was still supported by National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future. Completed second reading on July 30 angrily objected to be Labour and the Greens. NZ First also opposed mainly on the grounds of additional expense to small and medium employers. Government indicated it would release more detail about regulations over which industries would be declared safe and other matters before the committee stage. Bill was still supported by National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future. Committee stage began on August 18 with Govt revealing regulations laying out exemptions. The debate made it clear there was wide support for large parts of the bill, but Labour and the Greens in particular were unhappy with the exceptions for mandatory health and safety representatives in some workplaces. Peter Dunne and Maori Party remained in support after negotiating some changes. Committee stage completed after 14 hours of debate on August 25. Received third reading on August 27 divided into five bills – The main health and safety bill passed with the support of National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future. Four of the divided bills – concerning, ACC, hazardous substances, employment relations amendments and WorkSafe NZ were passed with NZ First opposed.   Health and Safety Reform Bill

This Bill amends statutes to increase the range of functions that can be performed by health practitioners by changing references to medical practitioners to health practitioners. Introduced on June 26, 2015 with interrupted first reading debate on July 23. All parties indicated support. Completed first reading on August 19 and sent to the Health Committee for consideration with a report due back by February 18. Reported back with minor amendments on December 15. Debate on second reading interrupted on August 25 with all parties indicating support and completed on Sept 15. Committee stage completed on October 12 with no major changes and third reading on November 1 divided into eight bills with all parties agreeing. Health Practitioners (Replacement of Statutory References to Medical Practitioners) Bill

A bill in the name of Labour Leader Andrew Little. The bill intends to ensure every rental home meets minimum standards of heating and insulation.  Speaker David Carter has ruled the bill is out of order as it is too similar to a bill rejected by Parliament earlier this year. As a result if the bill came up for debate this year it would be struck down. However it is unlikely to be debated until next year so will remain a live issue. Not debated in 2015, so now awaiting first reading.  First reading completed on May 4 by 61 to 60. Only National and ACT opposed it being sent to select committee with United Future and the Maori Party joining Opposition parties. Peter Dunne says his support is highly conditional as he has doubts about the practicality of the bill. Report back extended from November 4 to April 29 2017. Deadline pushed back again to June 30. Reported back on June 29 with the evenly balanced select committee tied on whether it should proceed or not. Labour and Green MPs on the committee said they continued to support the Bill and would be proposing amendments in the committee stage. Second reading debate held on July 26. National and ACT opposed, but the Maori Party and United Future joined Opposition Parties so the Bill continued to progress by 60 to 59. This was the last Members Day for this Parliament so no further progress will be made until after the election. Adopted as a Govt Bill by and began its committee stage on Nov 15.  Amendments introduced by the Govt changed the Bill, which will now enable the Govt to set standards for rental housing quality through regulations yet to be developed. The Bill will commence on 1 July 2019 and all residential tenancies must comply with the regulations within five years of this, though earlier compliance dates may be prescribed by regulation.  Completed third reading on Nov 30 with National and ACT opposed.    Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No 2)

A Bill in the name of Virginia Andersen drawn from the ballot on August 9, 2019. This bill would make it clear the unplanned death of a foetus constitutes grounds for up to 3 days bereavement leave for the mother and her partner or spouse. First reading on Dec 10, supported by all parties and sent to the Education and Workforce Committee. Reported back on July 27 2020 with minor changes. Second reading on July 29 with all parties in support. Committee stage completed on March 10, 2021 and third reading on March 24 with the support of all parties. Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 27. A Member’s bill in the name of Ginny Andersen, it makes clear the unplanned death of a foetus constitutes grounds for bereavement leave for the mother and her partner or spouse, and that the duration of the bereavement leave should be up to 3 days. Reported back on July 27 and second reading on July 29 with all parties in support. Third reading March 24, 2021.

Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced on Dec1, 2020 under Urgency. The Bill increases a qualifying employee’s sick leave entitlement from 5 to 10 days’ sick leave per 12-month period. Currently, a qualifying employee may carry over up to 15 days’ of unused sick leave. The Bill keeps the maximum current entitlement as 20 days. Opposed by National and ACT referred to the Education and Workforce Committee with a report back by April 6, 2021. Reported back on Mach 25 without amendment. National opposed the Bill proceeding. The Greens support the Bill but raised concerns about how long an employee had to work before qualifying for sick leave and other issues. The Committee report also notes a number of issues it believes are worth ministerial attention including the accumulation of sick leave. Second reading completed on May 5. Committee stage May 18 and third reading on May 29. National and ACT opposed throughout. Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Labour’s Terisa Ngobi drawn from the ballot on March 11. It amends the Holidays Act to allow workers with children to take leave to attend parent-teacher interviews. First reading on June 30 and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. Opposed by National and ACT who said it was an imposition of costs on employers. Discharged May 30, 2021.

Holidays (Parent-Teacher Interview Leave) Amendment Bill