SB220: relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of mental health services.

SB 220-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2017 SESSION

17-0819

01/04

SENATE BILL 220-FN

AN ACT relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of mental health services.

SPONSORS: Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 21; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Rep. Leishman, Hills. 24; Rep. Hinch, Hills. 21; Rep. Rouillard, Hills. 6; Rep. Kotowski, Merr. 24

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

ANALYSIS

This bill changes the definition of mental illness for the purpose of involuntary commitment to include ingestion of opioid substances.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

17-0819

01/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

AN ACT relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of mental health services.

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

1 Mental Health Services System; Definitions. RSA 135-C:2, X is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

X. "Mental illness'' means mental disorders as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition and includes all disorders contained in such manual.

2 New Subparagraph; Mental Health Services System; Involuntary Emergency Admission; Criteria. Amend RSA 135-C:27, I by inserting after subparagraph (d) the following new subparagraph:

(e) The person has ingested opioid substances such that the person's behavior demonstrates that he or she lacks the capacity to care for his or her own welfare and that there is a likelihood of death, serious bodily injury, or serious debilitation if admission is not ordered.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2018.

LBAO 17-0819

1/26/17

SB 220-FN- FISCAL NOTE

as introduced

AN ACT relative to the definition of mental illness for purposes of mental health services.

FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

STATE:

FY 2018

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Funding Source:

[ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other

METHODOLOGY:

This bill expands the definition of mental illness and adds involuntary emergency admission criteria related to opioid ingestion under RSA 135-C. The Department of Health and Human Services states that New Hampshire Hospital and other designated receiving facilities do not currently treat opioid abuse as part of their services. Involuntary emergency admissions are evaluated in emergency departments of general hospitals. The Department estimates the average number of opioid related emergency department visits to be 16 individuals per day; however, it is unknown how many of these instances would meet the standards for involuntary emergency admissions under the proposed legislation. The Department states it cannot estimate the amount expenditures would increase, but notes that designated receiving facilities currently lack the capacity and staff skills to care for opioid users.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services