HB286: requiring reporting on suicide deaths of individuals receiving services through the department of health and human services or its subcontractors.

HB 286 - AS INTRODUCED

2017 SESSION

17-0612

01/10

HOUSE BILL 286

AN ACT requiring reporting on suicide deaths of individuals receiving services through the department of health and human services or its subcontractors.

SPONSORS: Rep. J. MacKay, Merr. 14; Rep. M. MacKay, Hills. 30; Rep. LeBrun, Hills. 32; Rep. Guthrie, Rock. 13; Rep. Kenison, Merr. 15; Rep. Danielson, Hills. 7; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the commissioner of the department of health and human services, in consultation with the department of justice, to make an annual report to the oversight committee on health and human services relative to suicide deaths occurring in individuals receiving services through the department of health and human services or its subcontractors.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0612

01/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT requiring reporting on suicide deaths of individuals receiving services through the department of health and human services or its subcontractors.

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

1 Findings.

I. The general court hereby finds that:

(a) Suicide is the second leading cause of death in New Hampshire for persons ages 10 through 24.

(b) Suicide is the third leading cause of death in New Hampshire for persons ages 24 through 34.

(c) Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for persons ages 35 through 54 in New Hampshire.

(d) A significant percentage of drug/opioid overdose deaths in New Hampshire are ruled as suicide.

(e) Our veterans die by suicide at higher rates than the general population.

(f) A single suicide death has a profound social, emotional, and economic impact on individuals, families, the workplace and communities.

(g) The United States Surgeon General has identified that suicide is a significant public health issue that is largely preventable.

(h) Preventing suicide requires a systemic and integrated approach to behavioral and physical health.

(i) Specific data about suicide deaths can be a key component of suicide prevention efforts.

(j) Research indicates a very close correlation between mental illness, substance misuse/addiction and suicide.

(k) The department of health and human services is the primary organization overseeing the provision of mental health and substance abuse services in New Hampshire.

(l) The department of justice, office of the chief medical examiner, makes death determinations and collects data on suicide deaths in New Hampshire.

II. Therefore the general court hereby requires the department of health and human services and the department of justice to collaborate and issue an annual report relative to suicide deaths in New Hampshire.

2 New Paragraph; Commissioner of Health and Human Services; Duties; Report on Suicide Deaths Required. Amend RSA 126-A:5 by inserting after paragraph XXX the following new paragraph:

XXXI.(a) The commissioner, in collaboration with the department of justice, shall make an annual report to the oversight committee on health and human services, established in RSA 126-A:13, commencing on August 1, 2017 which shall include the following information:

(1) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year at New Hampshire hospital or within 90 days of discharge from New Hampshire hospital.

(2) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year for individuals in treatment or within 90 days of discharge from community mental health centers who contract with the department.

(3) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year or within 90 days of an individual being evaluated in an emergency department by a community mental health center or other department contractor.

(4) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year or within 90 days of discharge for individuals evaluated by a mobile crisis response team operated by a department contractor.

(5) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year at the Sununu youth services center.

(6) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year for children and youth in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.

(7) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year or within 90 days of discharge for individuals at the Glencliff home.

(8) The number of suicide deaths which occurred the previous year or within 90 days of discharge for individuals receiving outpatient or residential substance misuse treatment or recovery services from organizations under contract with the department.

(b) The department shall provide this data according to the separate categories listed as well as in sum total. The department shall also report the total as a percentage of suicide deaths in New Hampshire for the previous year.

(c) In each annual report, the department shall note any areas of concerns, trends or patterns and state action steps the department is taking or planning to take to reduce the incidence of suicide deaths for individuals served by the department.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.