Revision: Jan. 22, 2016, midnight
\t \t\tHB 1699-FN-A-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2016 SESSION
\t16-2958
\t05/09
HOUSE BILL\t1699-FN-A-LOCAL
AN ACT\testablishing a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the bureau of emergency medical services to develop a training program for fire and emergency medical services personnel and making an appropriation therefor.
SPONSORS:\tRep. Hinch, Hills. 21; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3
COMMITTEE:\tExecutive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
\tThis bill establishes the position of licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the department of safety, bureau of emergency medical services. The person holding the position shall be responsible for establishing a training program for fire and emergency medical services personnel and developing a pilot program through which local communities hire licensed alcohol and drug counselors. The bill makes an appropriation for these purposes.
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Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.
\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
\t16-2958
\t05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT\testablishing a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the bureau of emergency medical services to develop a training program for fire and emergency medical services personnel and making an appropriation therefor.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
\t1 New Paragraph; Bureau of Emergency Medical Services; Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor; Training Program; Pilot Program. Amend RSA 21-P:12-b by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
\t\tIV.(a) There is established in the bureau of emergency medical services the position of licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC), who shall be a classified employee, licensed under RSA 330-C, and qualified to hold the position by reason of education and experience. The LADC shall develop and implement a training program to teach fire and emergency medical services personnel to recognize symptoms of addiction and effectively respond to situations in which alcohol and drug abuse are factors. The LADC shall serve as a statewide resource to all fire departments and emergency medical services personnel.
\t\t\t(b) The LADC shall develop and supervise a pilot program in the bureau of emergency services, the goal of which shall be to have 3 communities in the state hire a LADC under the supervision of the local fire chief. The local LADC's shall coordinate treatment, support, and recovery services for overdose victims within their communities.
\t\t\t(c) In this paragraph, "licensed alcohol and drug counselor" shall have the same meaning as in RSA 330-C:2, XIII.
\t2 Appropriation. The sum of $300,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and the sum of $240,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, are hereby appropriated to the department of safety, bureau of emergency services, for the purposes of section 1 of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
\t3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t16-2958
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRevised 1/22/16
HB 1699-FN-A-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT\testablishing a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in the bureau of emergency medical services to develop a training program for fire and emergency medical services personnel and making an appropriation therefor.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Safety states this bill, as introduced, will increase state expenditures by $240,000 in FY 2017, increase local revenues by $159,000 in FY 2017 and increase local expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2017. There will be no impact on state revenue or county revenue and expenditures.
This bill appropriates $300,000 in FY 2016 and $240,000 in FY 2017 from the state general fund to the Department of Safety for the purpose of this act.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Safety states this bill establishes the position of license alcohol and drug counselor, a classified position, within the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, who would be responsible for establishing a training program for fire and emergency medical services personnel and developing a pilot program through which three local communities hire licensed drug and alcohol counselors. The Department assumes any cost deriving from this bill will only incur in FY 2017 due to timing of the legislative process, time required for hiring the newly authorized position, and that the bill provides no additional funding beyond June 30, 2017. The Department estimates the cost of the new position (labor grade 21, step 5), including salary, benefits, and other costs, will be $81,000 in FY 2017. Therefore, the remaining appropriation for the year of $159,000 ($240,000 - $81,000), would be available to provide grants to the three communities selected for hire of licensed alcohol and drug counselors. The Department states this amount alone would likely not be sufficient to hire three full-time counselors.
Any unexpended appropriation provided by this bill would lapse at the end of the fiscal year.