Revision: Nov. 6, 2017, 2:36 p.m.
HB 1537 - AS INTRODUCED
2018 SESSION
18-2660
04/01
HOUSE BILL 1537
AN ACT relative to a second opinion on health care matters for state or county prisoners.
SPONSORS: Rep. Bouldin, Hills. 12; Rep. J. Schmidt, Hills. 28; Rep. Emerick, Rock. 21; Rep. Berch, Ches. 1; Rep. Testerman, Merr. 2; Rep. Burridge, Ches. 16; Rep. Almy, Graf. 13; Rep. Ulery, Hills. 37; Rep. Murray, Rock. 24; Rep. Burt, Hills. 39; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Hennessey, Dist 5
COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
This bill permits state and county prisoners to have a second medical opinion from a licensed health care provider.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18-2660
04/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eighteen
AN ACT relative to a second opinion on health care matters for state or county prisoners.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Medical Services for County Prisoners. Amend RSA 623-C:1 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. The superintendent of a county correctional facility shall, upon request of the prisoner, provide each prisoner the opportunity to arrange for a second medical opinion from a licensed health care provider not employed or contracted by the county or the state. Unless the superintendent or his or her designee allows for other arrangements, the examination shall occur at the correctional facility. Correctional facility staff shall approve a visit by any health care provider licensed or credentialed by the state of New Hampshire. The prisoner may request a specific health care provider only if the examination is at the prisoner's expense, or at the expense of another person on behalf of the prisoner. The prisoner shall make payment arrangements in advance of the medical examination. Expenses for the second medical opinion shall be billed directly to the prisoner or to the responsible party designated by the prisoner.
2 New Paragraph; Medical Services for State Prisoners. Amend RSA 623-C:2 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV. The commissioner of the department of corrections shall, upon request of the prisoner, provide each prisoner the opportunity to arrange for a second medical opinion from a licensed health care provider not employed or contracted by the county or the state. Unless the commissioner or his or her designee allows for other arrangements, the examination shall occur at the correctional facility. Correctional facility staff shall approve a visit by any health care provider licensed or credentialed by the state of New Hampshire. The prisoner may request a specific health care provider only if the examination is at the prisoner's expense, or at the expense of another person on behalf of the prisoner. The prisoner shall make payment arrangements in advance of the medical examination. Expenses for the second medical opinion shall be billed directly to the prisoner or to the responsible party designated by the prisoner.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.