SB324: (New Title) relative to substance abuse services within the department of health and human services.

CHAPTER 312

SB 324-FN – FINAL VERSION

01/31/08 0165s

16Apr2008… 1248h

2008 SESSION

08-2687

01/09

SENATE BILL 324-FN

AN ACT relative to substance abuse services within the department of health and human services.

SPONSORS: Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4; Sen. Janeway, Dist 7; Sen. Burling, Dist 5; Rep. MacKay, Merr 11; Rep. Reever, Belk 4; Rep. Donovan, Sull 4; Rep. Arsenault, Belk 4; Rep. Nordgren, Graf 9

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services to study the most effective organization of units within the department of health and human services that are involved with substance abuse and to make a report of the results to the oversight committee on health and human services. This bill also clarifies the meetings and the content of the annual report required of the governor’s commission on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01/31/08 0165s

16Apr2008… 1248h

08-2687

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT relative to substance abuse services within the department of health and human services.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

312:1 Statement of Intent; Study Required. The general court recognizes that substance abuse is a major contributor to many health problems, requiring a comprehensive, integrated approach to policy and services. Therefore, the general court hereby directs the commissioner of the department of health and human services to study the most effective organization of units within the department that are involved with substance abuse and make a report relative to the results of such study to the oversight committee on health and human services, established in RSA 126-A:13, on or before September 1, 2008.

312:2 New Paragraph; Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment; Response to Written Requests. Amend RSA 12-J:2 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:

IV. All executive branch departments shall respond promptly to written requests from the commission for information concerning the alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment programs and services provided by them and the costs and funding sources for such programs and services.

312:3 Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment; Meetings and Reports. RSA 12-J:4 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

12-J:4 Meetings and Reports.

I. The commission shall meet at least 4 times each year and may convene public hearings as necessary to promote the goals of the commission.

II. The commission shall submit an annual report to the governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and president of the senate by November 1 of each year regarding the activities of the commission. The first annual report shall be due November 1, 2008. The annual report shall:

(a) Identify alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment services and programs provided by state departments and agencies or funded in whole or in part by state or federal funds;

(b) Indicate the progress made during the prior year toward the implementation of the statewide plan developed by the commission pursuant to RSA 12-J:3, I;

(c) Recommend any revisions to the statewide plan developed pursuant to RSA 12 -J:3, I;

(d) Identify and prioritize unmet needs for prevention, intervention, and treatment;

(e) Indicate the progress, or lack thereof, in addressing the unmet needs;

(f) Recommend initiatives to address the unmet needs;

(g) Specify the resources and any legislation necessary to support existing programs for prevention, intervention, and treatment and to develop, implement, support, and evaluate the initiatives recommended by the commission; and

(h) In even-numbered years the report may include specific recommendations for funds to be included in the next state biennial budget to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment services and programs.

III. To assist the commission in the timely completion of its annual report, each commission member that is an executive branch department or entity shall provide the information specified in paragraph II for its department or entity to the commission on or before September 1 of each year.

312:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 2, 2008

Effective Date: July 2, 2008