Revision: March 12, 2024, 2:11 p.m.
Rep. Schapiro, Ches. 16
March 5, 2024
2024-0963h
05/06
Amendment to HB 1028
Amend the bill by replacing section 1 with the following:
1 New Hampshire Mental Health Services System; Definition of Mental Illness. Amend RSA 135-C:2, X to read as follows:
X. "Mental illness" means a substantial impairment of emotional processes, or of the ability to exercise conscious control of one's actions, or of the ability to perceive reality or to reason, when the impairment is manifested by instances of extremely abnormal behavior or extremely faulty perceptions. It does not include impairment [primarily] solely caused by: (a) epilepsy; (b) intellectual disability; (c) continuous or noncontinuous periods of intoxication caused by substances such as alcohol or drugs; or (d) dependence upon or addiction to any substance such as alcohol or drugs.
2024-0963h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill revises the definition of mental illness for purposes of the mental health services system to clarify that it does not include impairment solely caused by epilepsy, intellectual disability, substance misuse, or addiction and provides that an individual shall not be deemed ineligible for mental health services due to a co-occurrence of mental illness and intellectual disability.