Revision: Dec. 2, 2025, 8:27 a.m.
HB 1372 - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-3026
05/06
HOUSE BILL 1372
SPONSORS: Rep. Sweeney, Rock. 25; Rep. Alexander Jr., Hills. 29; Rep. Berry, Hills. 44
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study the feasibility of reestablishing a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe mental illness.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-3026
05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Commission Established. Amend RSA 126-A by inserting after section 5-f the following new section:
126-A:5-g Commission Established.
II. There is established a commission to study the need for, and the feasibility of, reestablishing a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.
I. The committee shall consist of the following members:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(c) One representative of the department of health and human services, appointed by the commissioner.
(d) One representative of the department of corrections, appointed by the commissioner.
III. The study committee shall:
(a) Review the current capacity of New Hampshire Hospital and community-based mental health programs.
(b) Examine the number of individuals with severe mental illness who are repeatedly in jails, emergency rooms, homeless encampments, or revolving-door short-term crisis beds.
(c) Evaluate the costs, staffing requirements, and potential sites for a new state psychiatric hospital capable of providing long-term inpatient care.
(d) Consider best practices from other states that have recently expanded or reestablished state psychiatric facilities.
(e) Solicit input from law enforcement, hospitals, families of affected individuals, and mental health professionals.
IV. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the clerk of the house, the clerk of the senate, and the governor on or before November 1, 2026.
2 Repeal. RSA 126-A:5-g, relative to the commission to study the need for, and the feasibility of, reestablishing a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.