Bill Text - HB1537 (2022)

Establishing a pilot mental health drop-in center program.


Revision: Dec. 14, 2021, 9:10 a.m.

HB 1537-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2022 SESSION

22-2740

05/04

 

HOUSE BILL 1537-FN

 

AN ACT establishing a pilot mental health drop-in center program.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Klein-Knight, Hills. 11; Rep. Moran, Hills. 34; Rep. M. Murray, Hills. 22; Rep. Query, Hills. 16; Rep. Hyland, Hills. 38; Rep. Toll, Ches. 16; Rep. Espitia, Hills. 31; Rep. Rogers, Merr. 28; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8; Rep. Burroughs, Carr. 1; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Kahn, Dist 10

 

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a mental health drop-in center pilot program in the department of health and human services and authorizes the department to use American Rescue Act funds to support the program.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2740

05/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT establishing a pilot mental health drop-in center program.

 

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

 

1  Pilot Program to Provide Mental Health Drop-in Center Services.

I.  The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall establish a pilot program to provide mental health drop-in center services.  The mental health drop-in center services shall provide a peer-focused recovery model during daytime hours through a community-based, therapeutic, less restrictive alternative to hospitalization for acute psychiatric needs.  The program shall assist clients in need of voluntary, short-term, non-crisis services that focus on recovery and wellness.  Clients may refer themselves, be brought to the center by law enforcement, be brought to the center by family members, or be referred by an emergency department.

II.  The pilot program shall be located in an area with an identified need for increased access to mental health services.  Funds to support the pilot program shall be distributed by the department of health and human services.

III.  The pilot program shall begin on January 1, 2023, and conclude July 1, 2025.

IV.  By December 1, 2023, the commissioner shall submit a preliminary report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature.  The preliminary report shall include a survey of peer mental health programs that are operating in the state, including the location, type of services offered, and number of clients served.  By December 1, 2024, the commissioner shall report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of the pilot program.  The report shall include information about the number of clients served, the needs of the clients, the method of referral for the clients, and recommendations on how to expand the program statewide, including any recommendations to account for different needs in urban and rural areas.

2  Pilot Program; Funding; American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  The department of health and human services is authorized to use funds received by the state of New Hampshire pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, for the purpose of funding the pilot program established in section 1 of this act.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

22-2740

Redraft 12/7/21

 

HB 1537-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT establishing a pilot mental health drop-in center program.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

 

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2022

FY 2023

FY 2024

FY 2025

   Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

   Expenditures

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source:

  [    ] General            [    ] Education            [    ] Highway           [ X ] Other - Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

 

 

 

 

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program to provide mental health drop-in center services.  The bill states that the pilot program shall be funded with available federal funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), but does not specify an amount or a backup funding source in the event ARPA funds are unavailable.  The Department did not provide an estimate of the cost to establish a pilot program, but anticipates the need for additional staff and other resources to comply with the survey and reporting requirements contained in the bill.  

 

The bill states the pilot program shall begin on January 1, 2023 and end on July 1, 2025.  The fiscal impact is therefore expected to begin in FY23.   

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services