SB600: requiring medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders for prisoners incarcerated in a county correctional facility.

SB 600-FN-LOCAL - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

03/05/2020 0770s

2020 SESSION

20-2823

04/01

SENATE BILL 600-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT requiring medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders for prisoners incarcerated in a county correctional facility.

SPONSORS: Sen. Sherman, Dist 24; Sen. Feltes, Dist 15; Sen. Morgan, Dist 23; Rep. McMahon, Rock. 7; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the superintendent of a county correctional facility to provide a prisoner with medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders where medically appropriate.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/05/2020 0770s 20-2823

04/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

AN ACT requiring medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders for prisoners incarcerated in a county correctional facility.

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

1 County Department of Corrections; Superintendent Duties. Amend RSA 30-B:4, V to read as follows:

V. The superintendent shall provide each prisoner in [his or her] the superintendent's custody with necessary sustenance, clothing, bedding, shelter, and medical care including screening for and provision of medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders where medically appropriate and regardless of whether the prisoner was receiving medication-assisted treatment prior to incarceration. "Medication-assisted treatment" means treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of substance use disorders, which may include, but not be limited to, naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone, or other compounds.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.

LBAO

20-2823

Amended 3/9/20

SB 600-FN-LOCAL- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2020-0770s)

AN ACT requiring medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders for prisoners incarcerated in a county correctional facility.

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

Estimated Increase / (Decrease)

COUNTY:

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2023

Appropriation

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Expenditures

$0

$0

Potential Increase of $5,000,000

Potential Increase of $5,000,000

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the superintendent of a county correctional facility to provide a prisoner with medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders where medically appropriate. The New Hampshire Association of Counties indicates the estimated cost of medication-assisted treatment including counseling and doctor follow up, would be approximately $500 per month per inmate. For an inmates admitted with suspected opioid use disorder there would need to be an assessment by a medical professional (ARNP or Doctor). The Association assumes staff would need to be added to manage the program, education and release coordination. Upon release, the inmate could be transitioned to a community agency for a soft transition. The county facility would be responsible for beginning the Medicaid process so the community program could be paid for the services provided. The treatment is covered by Medicaid, but not while a person is incarcerated. Additional staff certified to issue a presumptive Medicaid eligibility, would be needed. Based on the current inmate population who would qualify for medication-assisted treatment, the Association estimates the program would increase annual county expenditures by an estimated $5,000,000.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

New Hampshire Association of Counties