Bill Text: NH HB1413 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relative to mental health supervision agreements and relative to establishing a committee to study increasing access to and accountability for mental health services.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-05-30 - House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2024-1886s (Rep. C. McGuire): Motion Adopted Voice Vote 05/30/2024 House Journal 15 [HB1413 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2024-HB1413-Amended.html

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HB 1413 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

28Mar2024... 1076h

05/22/2024   1886s

2024 SESSION

24-2693

09/08

 

HOUSE BILL 1413

 

AN ACT relative to mental health supervision agreements and relative to establishing a committee to study increasing access to and accountability for mental health services.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Gregg, Hills. 7; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Grossman, Rock. 11; Rep. Nutter-Upham, Hills. 8; Rep. Devine, Hills. 5

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill revises the requirements for the written agreement that must be on record with the board of mental health practice concerning a supervisor's responsibilities with respect to a candidate for mental health licensure.  This bill further establishes a legislative committee to study increasing access to and accountability for mental health services.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

28Mar2024... 1076h

05/22/2024   1886s 24-2693

09/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to mental health supervision agreements and relative to establishing a committee to study increasing access to and accountability for mental health services.

 

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

 

1  Mental Health Practice; Candidates for Mental Health Licensure.  Amend RSA 330-A:22, II(b) to read as follows:

(b) The supervisor shall assume professional, ethical, and legal responsibility for mental health services provided by the candidate in a written agreement on record with the board. [The supervisor must assume both professional and legal responsibility in the agreement.]

2  Legislative Findings.  The general court finds that access to timely mental and behavioral health services is crucial to ensuring the wellbeing of New Hampshire residents.

3  Study Committee Established; Members; Duties.

I.  There is established a committee to study mental health access and accountability in New Hampshire to review a number of ways in which greater mental health provider network adequacy and access for New Hampshire residents might be ensured.

II. The members of the study committee shall consist of:

(a)  Four members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be from the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, one of whom shall be from the house commerce and consumer affairs committee, and one of whom shall be at large, all appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

III.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.  The committee’s study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a)  Researching the credentialing processes and requirements for mental health providers and seeking to address barriers to such providers' achieving accreditation in a timely fashion.

(b)  Researching, identifying, and considering other barriers to access to mental health providers and services.

(c)  Reviewing enforcement options to ensure network adequacy measures are implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

(d)  Exploring public policies which will enhance mental health provider network adequacy and increase access.

IV.  The committee may solicit input from any person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.

V.  The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the named senate member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

VI.  The committee shall submit a report including its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2024, to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the governor.

4  Effective Date.  

I.  Section 1 of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

II.  The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.