Bill > HB1372

This bill establishes a temporary commission to investigate the potential for reopening a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe mental illness in New Hampshire. The commission will be composed of five members: three state representatives, two senators, a representative from the Department of Health and Human Services, and a representative from the Department of Corrections. The commission's responsibilities include reviewing the current mental health care capacity, examining the number of individuals with severe mental illness who cycle through jails, emergency rooms, and temporary crisis facilities, evaluating the costs and requirements for a new long-term inpatient facility, studying best practices from other states, and gathering input from various stakeholders like law enforcement, hospitals, families, and mental health professionals. By November 1, 2026, the commission must submit a comprehensive report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to key state leadership. The bill includes a provision to automatically repeal the commission on November 1, 2026, effectively making this a time-limited study to assess the feasibility of addressing significant gaps in the state's mental health care infrastructure.

Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2238&inflect=2