SB 85-FN-A is a bill that aims to improve access to comprehensive behavioral health crisis programs in New Hampshire. It establishes a commission to study sustainable funding for these programs and recommends the adoption and development of three pillars of the national guideline for behavioral health crisis services. The bill also defines behavioral health crisis programs and limits pre-authorization requirements for emergency behavioral health services.

The bill recognizes the need to remove barriers to mental health treatment and ensure timely access to care. It seeks to create a comprehensive and sustainable behavioral health crisis stabilization system by implementing the three pillars of crisis services, establishing a study commission to identify sustainable financing options, and ensuring that behavioral health crisis programs are available without delay. The bill also includes provisions for the commission's membership, duties, and reporting requirements.

In addition to addressing behavioral health crisis programs, the bill also makes changes to insurance coverage for emergency services. It expands the definition of "emergency services" to include mental health services and substance use disorder services. It also states that community-based mental health crisis intervention services that meet the definition of emergency services shall be treated as such, even if they are not provided in a licensed hospital emergency facility. Finally, the bill repeals a related study commission on sustainable funding of behavioral health crisis programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135-C:2, 135-C:68
As Amended by the Senate: 135-C:2, 135-C:68
As Amended by the Senate (2nd): 135-C:2, 135-C:68
As Amended by the House: 135-C:2, 135-C:68
Version adopted by both bodies: 135-C:2, 135-C:68
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 135-C:2, 135-C:68