275:1 Confidential Communications Between Victims and Counselors; Definitions. Amend RSA 173-C:1, I to read as follows:

I. "Confidential communication'' means information transmitted between a victim, as defined in paragraph VI, of an alleged sexual assault, alleged domestic abuse, alleged sexual harassment, or alleged stalking, and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor in the course of that relationship and in confidence by means which, so far as the victim is aware, does not disclose the information to a third person. The presence of an interpreter for the hearing impaired deaf or hard of hearing, a foreign language interpreter, or any other interpreter necessary for that communication to take place shall not affect the confidentiality of the communication nor shall it be deemed a waiver of the privilege. The term includes all information received by the sexual assault or domestic violence counselor in the course of that relationship.

275:2 Telecommunications Equipment Program. Amend RSA 200-C:7, I to read as follows:

I. The administrator, bureau of vocational rehabilitation, shall develop a program to make special telecommunications equipment available to deaf, hearing impaired hard of hearing, and speech impaired persons. The program shall provide for the purchase, maintenance and repair of special telecommunications equipment for deaf, hearing impaired hard of hearing, and speech impaired persons. Any equipment purchased under the program shall be property of the state of New Hampshire

275:3 Vocational Rehabilitation Program; Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Amend RSA 200-C:19, V-VIII to read as follows:

V. Collect data on the needs of the hearing impaired deaf or hard of hearing community and investigate resources to meet those needs.

VI. Provide technical assistance to state and private agencies requesting such assistance in order to ensure accessibility for the hearing impaired deaf or hard of hearing.

VII. Assist in development of legislation affecting hearing impaired deaf or hard of hearing people in the state as approved by the state board of education.

VIII. Work with the New Hampshire registry of interpreters for the deaf, the New Hampshire Association of the Deaf, Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing, and any other consumer group interested in hearing loss, as needed, to ensure quality of services for the hearing impaired deaf or hard of hearing.

275:4 Speech Pathology Practice; Definitions. Amend RSA 326-F:1, II(e) to read as follows:

(e) Providing aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing-impaired deaf or hard of hearing individuals and their families.

275:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 18, 2018

Effective Date: August 17, 2018

275:1 Confidential Communications Between Victims and Counselors; Definitions. Amend RSA 173-C:1, I to read as follows:

I. "Confidential communication'' means information transmitted between a victim, as defined in paragraph VI, of an alleged sexual assault, alleged domestic abuse, alleged sexual harassment, or alleged stalking, and a sexual assault or domestic violence counselor in the course of that relationship and in confidence by means which, so far as the victim is aware, does not disclose the information to a third person. The presence of an interpreter for the deaf or hard of hearing, a foreign language interpreter, or any other interpreter necessary for that communication to take place shall not affect the confidentiality of the communication nor shall it be deemed a waiver of the privilege. The term includes all information received by the sexual assault or domestic violence counselor in the course of that relationship.

275:2 Telecommunications Equipment Program. Amend RSA 200-C:7, I to read as follows:

I. The administrator, bureau of vocational rehabilitation, shall develop a program to make special telecommunications equipment available to deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired persons. The program shall provide for the purchase, maintenance and repair of special telecommunications equipment for deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired persons. Any equipment purchased under the program shall be property of the state of New Hampshire

275:3 Vocational Rehabilitation Program; Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Amend RSA 200-C:19, V-VIII to read as follows:

V. Collect data on the needs of the deaf or hard of hearing community and investigate resources to meet those needs.

VI. Provide technical assistance to state and private agencies requesting such assistance in order to ensure accessibility for the deaf or hard of hearing.

VII. Assist in development of legislation affecting deaf or hard of hearing people in the state as approved by the state board of education.

VIII. Work with the New Hampshire registry of interpreters for the deaf, the New Hampshire Association of the Deaf, Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing, and any other consumer group interested in hearing loss, as needed, to ensure quality of services for the deaf or hard of hearing.

275:4 Speech Pathology Practice; Definitions. Amend RSA 326-F:1, II(e) to read as follows:

(e) Providing aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to deaf or hard of hearing individuals and their families.

275:5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Approved: June 18, 2018

Effective Date: August 17, 2018