1 Pilot Program Plan.

I. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit a plan to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees to establish a 3-year pilot program in 4 geographically dispersed areas in New Hampshire that provides therapeutic intervention to infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and their families and caregivers. The plan shall:

(a) Include infants discharged from an inpatient hospital with a diagnosis of NAS and provide best practice intervention from the onset of discharge to the time where an early support services program (ESS) may begin early intervention services.

(b) Provide best practice interventions, including infant evaluation and treatment, to address the self-regulation needs of a developing NAS infant between the ages of birth through 12 months, with the focus of service between birth and 3 months.

(c) Provide therapeutic intervention for both infants and families and caregivers, including education relative to understanding infant cues and signals, infant massage and other calming or self-soothing techniques that promote typical self-regulation development of the infant, such as normal sleep cycles, typical movement patterns, and decreased stress responses.

(d) Provide opportunities for parents and caregivers of NAS infants to learn and practice techniques for the carry-over of intervention in the home.

(e) Make clear that a parent may bring a therapeutic summary of intervention to the ESS intake evaluation to reduce duplication of services and to ensure generalization of strategies and interventions.

(f) Use an assessment tool that will successfully identify the infant's progress. This tool shall consist of a sensory processing assessment and stress response questionnaire.

(g) Coordinate summary reports that can be shared with an area ESS program case manager.

II. The commissioner may propose to contract with providers to effectuate the work of the pilot program. Any proposal to contract may include the following:

(a) That when an infant is discharged from a hospital with a diagnosis of NAS, an immediate referral to the program shall be made and services shall begin within 3-5 days. Services shall continue through the time an area ESS program is able to begin its initial intake evaluation.

(b) That when progress is made toward appropriate self-regulation development, as measured by one of the therapeutic assessments under paragraph I, the successful calming strategies shall be taught to parents and included in a therapeutic summary. The summary shall be available to area ESS programs under HIPPA guidelines.

(c) If a NAS infant does not demonstrate progress in self-regulation skills, as measured by one of the therapeutic assessments under paragraph I, explain in detail the reasons why the child is not meeting developmental milestones or progressing towards them, and shall recommend specific strategies, services, and programs that shall be provided to assist the child's success.

III. The pilot program shall only apply to children from birth to 6 months of age but may be extended to 12 months in certain cases.

2 Implementation of Plan for Pilot Program. The fiscal committee of the general court may recommend implementation of the plan for the pilot program under section 1 of this act on an interim basis prior to June 30, 2019 if funds are available.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 Pilot Program Plan.

I. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit a plan to the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives, the governor, and the chairpersons of the house and senate finance committees to establish a 3-year pilot program in 4 geographically dispersed areas in New Hampshire that provides therapeutic intervention to infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and their families and caregivers. The plan shall:

(a) Include infants discharged from an inpatient hospital with a diagnosis of NAS and provide best practice intervention from the onset of discharge to the time where an early support services program (ESS) may begin early intervention services.

(b) Provide best practice interventions, including infant evaluation and treatment, to address the self-regulation needs of a developing NAS infant between the ages of birth through 12 months, with the focus of service between birth and 3 months.

(c) Provide therapeutic intervention for both infants and families and caregivers, including education relative to understanding infant cues and signals, infant massage and other calming or self-soothing techniques that promote typical self-regulation development of the infant, such as normal sleep cycles, typical movement patterns, and decreased stress responses.

(d) Provide opportunities for parents and caregivers of NAS infants to learn and practice techniques for the carry-over of intervention in the home.

(e) Make clear that a parent may bring a therapeutic summary of intervention to the ESS intake evaluation to reduce duplication of services and to ensure generalization of strategies and interventions.

(f) Use an assessment tool that will successfully identify the infant's progress. This tool shall consist of a sensory processing assessment and stress response questionnaire.

(g) Coordinate summary reports that can be shared with an area ESS program case manager.

II. The commissioner may propose to contract with providers to effectuate the work of the pilot program. Any proposal to contract may include the following:

(a) That when an infant is discharged from a hospital with a diagnosis of NAS, an immediate referral to the program shall be made and services shall begin within 3-5 days. Services shall continue through the time an area ESS program is able to begin its initial intake evaluation.

(b) That when progress is made toward appropriate self-regulation development, as measured by one of the therapeutic assessments under paragraph I, the successful calming strategies shall be taught to parents and included in a therapeutic summary. The summary shall be available to area ESS programs under HIPPA guidelines.

(c) If a NAS infant does not demonstrate progress in self-regulation skills, as measured by one of the therapeutic assessments under paragraph I, explain in detail the reasons why the child is not meeting developmental milestones or progressing towards them, and shall recommend specific strategies, services, and programs that shall be provided to assist the child's success.

III. The pilot program shall only apply to children from birth to 6 months of age but may be extended to 12 months in certain cases.

2 Implementation of Plan for Pilot Program. The fiscal committee of the general court may recommend implementation of the plan for the pilot program under section 1 of this act on an interim basis prior to June 30, 2019 if funds are available.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.