Revision: June 6, 2025, 10:57 a.m.
Sen. Lang, Dist 2
June 2, 2025
2025-2614s
07/05
Amendment to HB 2-FN-A-LOCAL
Amend the bill by replacing sections 77-79 with the following:
77 The State and Its Government; State Commission on Aging; State Commission on Aging Established; Membership. Amend RSA 19-P:1, IV to read as follows:
IV. The members appointed pursuant to subparagraph II(j) shall serve [2-year terms] 3-year terms effective for appointments made after July 1, 2025; provided that initially such members shall serve staggered terms and no such member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms, with the exception of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and recorder, who may service an additional term for a total of 3 terms. A council member whose term of office is expiring may continue beyond the end of the term until reappointed or until a successor is nominated. Legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission. The first named member of the house of representatives shall convene the organizational meeting of the commission on or before 45 days of passage of this chapter for the purpose of electing officers serving on the commission. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. If any member is absent without previously being excused by the chairperson for 3 or more regular meetings, the member may be removed upon a majority vote of the commission.
78 New Section; State Commission on Aging; Advisory Council on the System of Care for Healthy Aging in New Hampshire. Amend RSA 19-P by inserting after section 2 the following new section:
19-P:2-a Advisory Council on the System of Care for Health Aging in New Hampshire.
I. The commission shall establish an advisory council on the system of care for healthy aging in New Hampshire. The purpose of the advisory council shall be to:
(a) Improve the well-being of older adults and caregivers;
(b) Identify cost-savings and opportunities to increase collaboration, efficiency, and the effectiveness of the service array and service delivery system; and
(c) Assist and advise the commissioner of the department of health and human services on the system of care principles and values and implementation of RSA 151-E:22 through 151-E:27.
II.(a) The director of the division of long-term supports and services, or the director's designee, and one member of the state commission on aging shall serve as the permanent co-chairpersons of the advisory council.
(b) Additional members of the advisory council representing diverse perspectives shall be appointed by the commission on aging and shall include older adults and family caregivers with relevant experience, members of agencies serving older adults including public, private, consumer advocacy, and non-profit organizations, and individuals with relevant policy expertise.
III. The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly and may meet more often at the call of the commission.
IV. The duties of the council shall include reviewing and making recommendations regarding all aspects of the implementation of the system of care for healthy aging established under RSA 151-E:22 through 151-E:27. Such duties shall also include addressing the availability of long term supports and services for individuals across the continuum of care, including but not be limited to:
(a) Reviewing and making recommendations that improve and shorten the timeline for accessing Medicaid long-term care benefits.
(b) Reviewing and making recommendations to remove barriers to hospital discharge for non-acute patients who require post hospital long-term supports and services.
(c) Gathering additional data to review the implementation of the system of care for healthy aging, including but not limited to:
(1) Licensed long-term care beds in service versus licensed long-term care beds not in service, and recommendations for optimal utilization of limited long-term care bed licenses to increase access to long-term care.
(2) Reviewing the availability of long-term services and supports for individuals requiring post hospital or nursing facility care service.
(3) Access to Medicaid Choices for Independence waiver services post hospital discharge and recommendations for optimal program utilization.
(4) Availability of long-term supports and services for non-Medicaid individuals.
(d) Working collaboratively with public and private stakeholders to strengthen the direct care workforce to meet the growing demand for long-term supports and services in New Hampshire.
(e) Advising the governor, the senate president, the speaker of the house, the oversight committee on health and human services, as established in RSA 126-A:13, and the commissioner of health and human services on any issue related to long-term services and supports within the system of care for healthy aging.
V. A summary of the advisory council's activities, findings, and recommendations shall be included in the commission's annual report submitted under RSA 19-P:3.
79 New Section; State Commission on Aging; Fund Established. Amend RSA 19-P by inserting after section 4 the following new section:
19-P:5 Fund Established. There is established in the office of the state treasurer a fund known as the New Hampshire commission on aging fund, which shall be kept separate and distinct from all other funds and shall be continually appropriated to the commission. Such fund shall be the depository of all gifts, grants, or donations made to the commission pursuant to RSA 19-P. The payment of the executive director of the commission, the expenses of the commission, and all other overhead costs of the commission, shall be paid from such fund. Any moneys in such fund shall not lapse into the general fund of the state.
80 New Subparagraph; State Treasurer; Application of Receipts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph 399 the following new subparagraph:
(400) Moneys deposited in the New Hampshire commission on aging fund established in RSA 19-P:5.
81 Appropriation. The New Hampshire commission on aging fund established pursuant to RSA 19-P:5 is hereby appropriated $150,000 in general funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and $150,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This appropriation shall be used exclusively to support payment of the executive director and the activities of the commission. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
2025-2614s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
REPLACE:
27. Extends the time period for which members of the state commission on aging may serve; directs the commission on aging to establish an advisory council on the system of care for healthy aging in New Hampshire; and establishes the New Hampshire commission on aging fund and makes an appropriation to the fund.