Revision: June 6, 2024, 1:50 p.m.
June 6, 2024
2024-2290-CofC
08/05
Committee of Conference Report on HB 1573-FN, making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to enhance oversight of children in residential placements.
Recommendation:
That the House recede from its position of nonconcurrence with the Senate amendment, and
That the Senate recede from its position in adopting its amendment to the bill, and
That the Senate and House adopt the following new amendment to the bill as amended by the House, and pass the bill as so amended:
Amend the bill by replacing section 2 with the following:
2 Appropriations; Department of Health and Human Services.
The sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for personnel and travel for the purpose of enhancing oversight of certification and quality assurance of residential facilities where New Hampshire children are, or will be, placed, as provided in the provisions of this act. This appropriation shall be nonlapsing. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Amend the bill by inserting after section 3 the following and renumbering the original section 4 to read as 6:
4 New Section; Court Ordered Placements; Residential Treatment Programs; Certification Required. Amend RSA 169-F by inserting after section 4 the following new section:
169-F:5 Residential Treatment Programs; Certification Required.
I. No child shall be placed by the department in a residential treatment program, including a psychiatric residential treatment program, unless the program has been licensed in accordance with RSA 170-E or the laws of the state in which they operate, and certified by the department under this chapter. Any program not certified by the department shall not be eligible to receive state funds or federal funds disbursed by the state of New Hampshire.
II. On or before January 2, 2025, the department shall establish a certification team, responsible for the certification, recertification, and oversight of all residential treatment programs utilized by the department, and certified for placements and payment by the department. Such assessments shall include an in-person visit of the facility and review of all appropriate records and certification criteria. The team shall give priority to all residential treatment programs where children are currently placed on the effective date of this section.
III. The team shall develop a standard operating procedure and form for assessment of the programs to be completed during each in-person visit, in consultation with the office of the child advocate.
IV. The department shall assess and certify every in-state and out-of-state program including residential treatment programs and psychiatric residential treatment programs prior to entering into an agreement for payment, and prior to the placement of any child in that facility. To be certified by the department, the program shall demonstrate compliance with staff training and program requirements and offer an appropriate therapeutic milieu and culture centered in trauma-informed care, in accordance with standards adopted by the department, in consultation of the office of the child advocate.
V. The department shall make monitoring visits at least twice per year, including at least one unannounced visit, to all facilities where New Hampshire children are currently placed by the state in residential treatment. The department shall continue to make annual certification or technical assistance visits to all certified residential placement facilities; if a child is being placed at a residential facility that did not currently have a New Hampshire child placed, the department shall make a visit prior to the placement of that child unless a department visit has occurred within the past 120 days. Clear and comprehensive records shall be maintained by the department on each facility showing the dates and findings of each such visit. Such records shall be available to the facility and provided to the office of the child advocate, as well as included in the paperwork for the certification and/or re-certification process. If the facility is found not to be in compliance with the statute, the rules adopted by the commissioner, or the contract, if applicable, a corrective action plan shall be submitted to the department, and the department shall notify the licensing agency of that facility and the office of the child advocate. Failure to submit an acceptable plan or a failure to take the necessary corrective actions shall result in the immediate removal of all New Hampshire children from that facility, and/or revocation of the certification.
VI. Any placement of a child outside of New England shall require the approval of the division for children youth and families’ director prior to placement, with specific findings regarding the need for such placement.
5 Reallocation of Monies Saved. Any monies saved by the department of health and human services, including the division for children, youth and families and the bureau of children’s behavioral health, in preventing the out-of-home placement of children pursuant to this act shall be used by the department to provide services pursuant to RSA 135-F, the system of care for children’s mental health, and any other community-based intervention services.
The signatures below attest to the authenticity of this Report on HB 1573-FN, making an appropriation to the department of health and human services to enhance oversight of children in residential placements.
Conferees on the Part of the Senate Conferees on the Part of the House
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Sen. Carson, Dist. 14 Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34
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Sen. Gannon, Dist. 23 Rep. Hoell, Merr. 27
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Sen. Whitley, Dist. 15 Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19
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Rep. Gregg, Hills. 7
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Rep. Long, Hills. 23
2024-2290-CofC
This bill requires court-ordered residential treatment programs for children to be licensed and certified by the department of health and human services. The bill directs the department to make monitoring visits and ensure compliance with certification criteria. The bill makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services for this purpose and requires the department to submit a report regarding implementation.