HB232 (2015) Detail

Relative to training in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management.


HB 232 - AS INTRODUCED

2015 SESSION

15-0061

10/03

HOUSE BILL 232

AN ACT relative to training in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management.

SPONSORS: Rep. P. Schmidt, Straf 19

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill requires community mental health program personnel have training in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management. The bill also establishes a committee to study increasing suicide prevention training.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15-0061

10/03

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

AN ACT relative to training in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management.

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

1 Community Mental Health Programs; Training in Suicide Risk Assessment, Treatment, and Management. Amend RSA 135-C:7 to read as follows:

135-C:7 Community Mental Health Programs. Any city, county, town, or nonprofit corporation may establish and administer a community mental health program for the purpose of providing mental health services to individuals and organizations in the area. Every program shall, at a minimum, provide emergency, medical or psychiatric screening and evaluation, case management, and psychotherapy services. The department may contract with a community mental health program, pursuant to RSA 135-C:3, for the operation and administration of any services which are part of the state mental health services system. In the event that the commissioner decides to enter into a contract for the operation and administration of any services which are part of the state mental health services system, the contract shall contain standards designed to measure the performance of the contractor in achieving positive consumer outcomes, maintaining fiscal integrity, and providing quality services. Any such contract for a community mental health program shall include a requirement that all persons providing emergency, medical or psychiatric screening and evaluation, case management, and psychotherapy services under the contract have the minimum training as determined by the commissioner in suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management.

2 Committee on Suicide Prevention Training Established.

I. There is established a committee to study increasing suicide prevention training.

II. 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.

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

IV. The committee shall study areas of the law that could be changed to allow for better suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management. The study shall consider:

(a) Establishing and funding suicide prevention training programs for case management service personnel employed in community mental health service programs.

(b) Extending suicide prevention training, including risk assessment, treatment, and management, to all licensed and unlicensed mental health workers and medical professionals.

(c) Reimbursement through Medicaid or private insurance of patient services, including telemedicine, and outreach services which include suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management.

(d) Other programs or methods for suicide prevention training the committee deems relevant

V. 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.

VI. 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 1, 2016.

3 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.