SB 207 - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0972
06/05
SENATE BILL 207
AN ACT establishing a committee to study licensure of mental health professionals.
SPONSORS: Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Gannon, Dist 23; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Whitley, Dist 15; Sen. Soucy, Dist 18; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Schapiro, Ches. 16; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a committee to study licensure of mental health professionals.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0972
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT establishing a committee to study licensure of mental health professionals.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Legislative Findings. The general court finds that:
I. New Hampshire has a shortage of qualified mental health professionals.
II. New Hampshire competes with neighboring states to attract qualified mental health professionals.
III. Licensure requirements and licensure processes may impact the mental health workforce in New Hampshire.
2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study and make recommendations relative to licensure of mental health professions under the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals, board of medicine, board of mental health practice, board of nursing, and board of psychology.
3 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Three members of the house of representatives, at least one of whom shall be from the executive departments and administration committee and at least one of whom shall be from the health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
4 Duties. The committee shall:
I. Review licensure criteria for mental health professionals regulated by the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals, board of medicine, board of mental health practice, board of nursing, and board of psychologists, including how such criteria relates to requirements in neighboring states.
II. Review the licensure processes of the office of professional licensure and certification as it relates to mental health professionals, including how the statutory and regulatory framework may impact the timely and efficient licensure of qualified applicants.
III. Identify and make recommendations for joining available licensure compacts or adopting an endorsement model regarding mental health professionals.
IV. Explore licensure barriers to attracting qualified mental health professionals to New Hampshire.
V. Make recommendations, if necessary, for changes to licensure regarding the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals, board of medicine, board of mental health practice, board of nursing, and board of psychologists, including how such criteria relates to requirements in neighboring states.
VI. Seek input from state agencies and boards, councils, and commissions within the office, stakeholders, and any other person or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.
VII. Consider whether elements of 2020 Emergency Orders 8, 15, and 18 have potential to alleviate the challenges with mental health licensure if incorporated into statute, where not already accomplished.
5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.