Revision: Dec. 13, 2023, 1:46 p.m.
Senate Judiciary
December 12, 2023
2024-0012s
05/06
Amendment to SB 185-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT establishing a committee to study the various barriers to discharge for patients to be safely discharged from acute care facilities.
Amend the bill by replacing all after the enacting clause with the following:
1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the various barriers to discharge for patients to be safely discharged from acute care facilities. In hospitals across New Hampshire, there are patients in inpatient beds, medically cleared for discharge, but unable to leave the hospital. These lengthy, non-medically necessary hospital stays are caused by a number of barriers to discharge. These barriers impact not only patients unable to leave the hospital, but also patients whose care may be delayed due to lack of inpatient bed availability.
2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, one from the majority party and one from the minority party.
(b) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 2 members of the health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, one from the majority party and one from the minority party; and 2 members of the judiciary committee, one from the majority party and one from the minority party.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
3 Duties. The committee shall:
I. Identify barriers to discharge for patients who are medically cleared for discharge, but remain unable to leave the acute care facility.
II. Examine the effect such barriers have on the system of care, including reduced inpatient bed availability.
III. Provide a forum for stakeholders involved in the provision of services for patients in need of post-acute care, both community-based and institutionally based, to share their experiences with the current system of care and provide recommendations for system improvement.
IV. Solicit information and testimony from state agencies and others with experience or expertise relevant to the study, including the judicial branch, the office of public guardian, the attorney general, and adult protective services within the department of health and human services.
4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2024.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
2024-0012s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study the various barriers to discharge for patients to be safely discharged from acute care facilities.