HB 1576 – AS INTRODUCED
2006 SESSION
09/01
HOUSE BILL 1576
AN ACT implementing a voluntary Meth Watch program in New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Rep. J. Tilton, Merr 6; Rep. Wall, Straf 7; Rep. Batula, Hills 19; Rep. Tupper, Merr 6; Rep. Shurtleff, Merr 10
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
This bill requires the department of health and human services, in cooperation with the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment, to implement a voluntary Meth Watch program in New Hampshire
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
06-2941
09/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Six
AN ACT implementing a voluntary Meth Watch program in New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Findings. The general court finds that:
I. Meth Watch is a voluntary program started in Kansas as a public-private partnership in 2001 which has been adopted or adapted by numerous other states including the state of Maine.
II. Meth Watch in New Hampshire would be a voluntary program, started as a public-private partnership which would adopt or adapt the national effort known as Meth Watch, or develop a similar program which would meet the specific, unique needs of New Hampshire.
III. The goals of Meth Watch are to:
(a) Involve retailers, law enforcement, state and local agencies, and other key partners in reducing the diversion of precursor products for illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine.
(b) Increase community awareness of and education about methamphetamine use and abuse, associated health conditions, prevention, treatment, and how to access treatment services within communities and the state.
(c) Encourage local cooperation and support in addressing the methamphetamine problems of the state.
IV. Expected benefits of Meth Watch include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Educating and unifying communities while working to reduce drugs in society.
(b) Less hazardous waste in our environment.
(c) Safer stores.
(d) Reduced economic losses due to theft of precursor products.
(e) Better relations between law enforcement, retail entities, and citizens.
(f) Less crime, including domestic violence and child neglect.
(g) Less drain on the state’s services from prisons, courts, health care, mental health care, and foster care.
(h) Secure and stronger communities and safer children and families.
(i) Fewer citizens addicted to methamphetamine in need of treatment services.
(j) Gainfully employed citizens.
2 New Chapter; Meth Watch Program. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 126-Q the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 126-R
126-R:1 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. “Commission” means the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment established in RSA 12-J:1.
II. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of health and human services.
III. “Department” means the department of health and human services.
126-R:2 Meth Watch Program Established.
I. The department, in cooperation with the commission, shall develop and implement a Meth Watch program. The Meth Watch program shall be based on the voluntary program started in Kansas as a public-private partnership and similar programs in other states, including Maine.
II.(a) An appropriate division or office, designated within the department by the commissioner, shall administer the portion of the program which informs retailers about the methamphetamine problems in the state of New Hampshire and devises procedures and forms for retailers to use in reporting to the department suspicious purchases, thefts, or other transactions involving any products under the retailer’s control which contain a methamphetamine precursor product, including, but not limited to over-the-counter, non-prescription pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products.
(b) Reporting by retailers under this section shall be voluntary.
(c) Retailers and individuals participating in the Meth Watch program and reporting information to the department in good faith pursuant to this section shall be immune from civil and criminal liability related to their reports.
III. The commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
(a) The implementation of the Meth Watch program under paragraph I.
(b) The procedures and forms for retailers to use in reports to the department under paragraph II.
IV. The department and the commission shall support Meth Watch efforts with existing resources from the department and the commission. The department and commission may seek and apply for gifts, grants, donations, and other contributions for the purpose of maintaining the Meth Watch program.
V. The commission and the department may provide grants for public and private organizations to engage in initiatives designed within the Meth Watch program.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 6 months after its passage.