Bill > SB498

This bill establishes the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association, a nonprofit organization designed to collect assessments from insurance carriers, stop loss carriers, and third-party administrators to fund mental health services for children under 19 years old. The association will be responsible for determining annual assessment amounts based on estimated non-federal program costs, operating expenses, and a reserve fund, and will deposit collected funds into a dedicated Childhood Behavioral Health Services Fund. The bill defines specific childhood behavioral health services, including intensive in-home services, structured outpatient programs, intensive care coordination, and peer support services. The association's board of directors will include representatives from insurance entities, healthcare providers, government agencies, and public members, and will have powers such as preparing bylaws, collecting assessments, entering contracts, and submitting annual reports. Additionally, the bill requires insurance providers to submit more detailed comparative analyses of mental health and medical/surgical benefits, specifically highlighting services available to different age groups. The legislation aims to improve access to and coordination of mental health services for children in New Hampshire, with an implementation date 60 days after its passage.