HB1602 (2010) Detail

Relative to the secure psychiatric unit.


CHAPTER 96

HB 1602-FN – FINAL VERSION

10Feb2010… 0427h

2010 SESSION

10-2152

01/04

HOUSE BILL 1602-FN

AN ACT relative to the secure psychiatric unit.

SPONSORS: Rep. Cushing, Rock 15

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study establishing a secure multi-program forensic psychiatric hospital as part of New Hampshire hospital and developing a proposal to expedite construction and operation of such a treatment facility.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

10Feb2010… 0427h

10-2152

01/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten

AN ACT relative to the secure psychiatric unit.

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

96:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study establishing a secure multi-program forensic psychiatric hospital as part of New Hampshire hospital and developing a proposal to expedite construction and operation of such a treatment facility.

96:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Five members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

96:3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Review the history of the current secure psychiatric unit and places to which persons are committed under RSA 651:8-b, RSA 135-C, RSA 171-B, and RSA 623:1, including previous efforts and proposals to locate a secure psychiatric unit in an environment more conducive to mental health care treatment rather than incarceration.

II. Study issues of federal reimbursement for the secure psychiatric unit and explore other sources of funding for the construction and operation of a secure multi-program forensic psychiatric hospital, including private charities and other entities with an interest in ensuring that consumers of health care services, including persons with severe mental illnesses who are a threat to other persons or to themselves, have adequate access to needed care.

III. Identify possible legal liabilities and court challenges that could arise from the continued co-mingling of non-adjudicated persons with severe mental illness or disorders with individuals who have been adjudicated and deemed to need mental health care intervention.

IV. Work with the commissioners of the department of corrections and the department of health and human services, to develop a proposal to expedite construction and operation of a secure multi-program forensic psychiatric hospital, including preparing to submit a request for the 2012-2013 capital budget relative to building a new facility.

V. Solicit information from any source the committee deems relevant to the purpose for which it is established.

96:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house 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.

96:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 30, 2010.

96:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: May 25, 2010

Effective Date: May 25, 2010