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RSA 135-C:1 · Purpose and Policy

Title
X: PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter
135-C · NEW HAMPSHIRE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SYSTEM
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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135-C:1 Purpose and Policy. –

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I.

The purpose of this chapter is to enable the department of health and human services to:

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(a)

Establish, maintain, and coordinate a comprehensive, effective, and efficient system of services for persons with mental illness.

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(b)

Reduce the occurrence, severity and duration of mental, emotional, and behavioral disabilities.

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(c)

Prevent mentally ill persons from harming themselves or others.

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II.

It is the policy of this state to provide to persons who are severely mentally disabled adequate and humane care which, to the extent possible while meeting the purposes of habilitation and treatment, is:

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(a)

Within each person's own community.

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(b)

Least restrictive of the person's freedom of movement and ability to function normally in society while being appropriate to the person's individual capacity.

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(c)

Directed toward eliminating the need for services and promoting the person's independence.

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III.

It is the policy of this state that mental illness in and of itself is insufficient to involuntarily admit any person into the mental health services system. Source. 1986, 212:1. 1995, 310:181, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

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Source note

Source. 1986, 212:1. 1995, 310:181, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.

Source history

  • 1986, 212:1
  • 1995, 310:181, eff. Nov. 1, 1995

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1564 amend · effective 2027-01-01

    , sex, [gender identity,] sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion, socioeconomic status, or disability in: 7 Mental Health Services System; Gender Identity. Amend RSA 135-C:13 to read as follows: 135-C:13 Discrimination Prohibited; Eligibility for Services. – Every severely mentally disabled person shall be eligible for admission to the state mental health services system, and no such person

  • 2026 HB1564-FN amend · effective 2027-01-01

    , sex, [gender identity,] sexual orientation, political affiliation, religion, socioeconomic status, or disability in: 7 Mental Health Services System; Gender Identity. Amend RSA 135-C:13 to read as follows: 135-C:13 Discrimination Prohibited; Eligibility for Services. – Every severely mentally disabled person shall be eligible for admission to the state mental health services system, and no such person

  • 2026 HB1642 reference · effective 2026-09-20

    at is likely to lead to the respondent being a danger to themselves or others. A mental health evaluation ordered pursuant to this paragraph shall comply with the requirements of RSA 135-C. VI. The court may subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement officer to search for and seize all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession, custody, or control, if there is probabl

  • 2026 HB1642-FN reference · effective 2026-09-20

    at is likely to lead to the respondent being a danger to themselves or others. A mental health evaluation ordered pursuant to this paragraph shall comply with the requirements of RSA 135-C. VI. The court may subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement officer to search for and seize all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession, custody, or control, if there is probabl

  • 2026 HB1790 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY: This bill amends RSA 135-C to include substance use disorder (SUD) in the definition of “mental illness” for purposes of involuntary emergency admission and non-emergency involuntary admission to a receiving facility. As a result, individuals wh

  • 2026 HB1790-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY: This bill amends RSA 135-C to include substance use disorder (SUD) in the definition of “mental illness” for purposes of involuntary emergency admission and non-emergency involuntary admission to a receiving facility. As a result, individuals wh

  • 2026 SB142 reference · effective 2026-01-01

    state facility that is for or that includes detained or adjudicated youth. (q) Special education programs under RSA 186-C:20. (r) Children’s behavioral health services under RSA 135-C and 135-F. (s) Any other program, service, or facility previously administered or managed by the department of health and human services according to any law whose powers and duties have been transferred under this ch

  • 2026 SB142-FN reference · effective 2026-01-01

    state facility that is for or that includes detained or adjudicated youth. (q) Special education programs under RSA 186-C:20. (r) Children’s behavioral health services under RSA 135-C and 135-F. (s) Any other program, service, or facility previously administered or managed by the department of health and human services according to any law whose powers and duties have been transferred under this ch

  • 2026 SB555 reference · effective 2026-09-20

    at is likely to lead to the respondent being a danger to themselves or others. A mental health evaluation ordered pursuant to this paragraph shall comply with the requirements of RSA 135-C. VI. The court may subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement officer to search for and seize all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession, custody, or control, if there is probabl

  • 2026 SB555-FN reference · effective 2026-09-20

    at is likely to lead to the respondent being a danger to themselves or others. A mental health evaluation ordered pursuant to this paragraph shall comply with the requirements of RSA 135-C. VI. The court may subsequently issue a search warrant authorizing a law enforcement officer to search for and seize all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession, custody, or control, if there is probabl

  • 2025 HB2 reference

    1-E:28. In the event these funds are not fully expended for this population, the department shall have the authority to use said funds to fund services for individuals served under RSA 171-A, RSA 161-F:52, and RSA 135-C. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 141:434 Effective Date. Sections 432 and 433 of this act shall take effect September 30,

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