Revision: Jan. 18, 2022, 8:52 a.m.
SB 419-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2022 SESSION
22-3088
05/08
SENATE BILL 419-FN
AN ACT relative to public health networks.
SPONSORS: Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Cavanaugh, Dist 16; Sen. Sherman, Dist 24; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Rep. Murphy, Graf. 12; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill direct the commissioner of health and human services to establish regional public health networks to develop a coordinated response to public health incidents and emergencies.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
22-3088
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two
AN ACT relative to public health networks.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Public Health Networks. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 127 the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 127-A
PUBLIC HEALTH NETWORKS
127-A:l Definitions. In this chapter:
I. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
II. "Department" means the department of health and human services.
127-A:2 Networks Established. The commissioner shall establish regional public health networks by rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A. The networks shall be defined along such lines as the commissioner determines provide the best structure for the planning and delivery of public health services on a regional basis, taking into consideration geographic features, the existing healthcare infrastructure, and the authority of local municipalities.
127-A:3 Regional Public Health Councils. A public health network may establish a public health council, which shall include as members those municipalities in the region whose governing bodies have voted to join network. Public health councils shall provide oversight and act in advisory capacity to public health networks by identifying regional public health priorities; planning, and providing for the implementation of programs, practices, and policies that are evidence-based to improve health outcomes; managing public health emergencies; and advancing the coordination of services among partners, including local public health officers. Each council shall have a board of directors, a majority of which shall be representatives of the participating municipalities. Each participating municipality may have one member on the board, except that municipalities with a population greater than 5,000 inhabitants shall have 2 members, and municipalities with a population greater than 20,000 inhabitants shall have 3 members. If the region is entirely within one county, that county government shall have 2 members of the board, but if the region includes more than one county, each affected county government shall have one member of the board. The board may appoint such additional members as the board deems advisable for the effective discharge of its duties. If a participating municipality votes to withdraw from a council, its representatives shall no longer be members unless otherwise appointed by the board of directors.
127-A:4 Regional Public Health Networks; Duties. The regional public health network shall develop plans for a coordinated response to public health incidents and emergencies that may occur in their regions. The networks may conduct activities directly or through individual municipalities or other public or private entities to prevent, plan for, and respond to public health incidents and emergencies. The networks may carry out public health functions of the department as delegated by the commissioner and as agreed to by the councils and the commissioner. The carrying out of the public health functions by the public health networks shall not conflict with the existing authority of a municipality or the local health officer.
127-A:5 Organization and Appropriations. Each regional public health council shall annually elect a chairperson of the board of directors from among the representatives of the participating municipalities. The councils may designate a fiscal agent to receive and expend funds. Any member municipality and any affected county government may appropriate such funds as it deems necessary to support the activities of the network. The fiscal year for the councils shall be from July 1 through June 30.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
22-3088
Revised 1/17/22
SB 419-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to public health networks.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ X ] None
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services