This bill requires any correctional facility housing an inmate to be responsible for the transport and security of an inmate who needs to be taken to a medical facility. It adds new paragraphs to RSA 623:1, stating that the facility housing the prisoner is responsible for transferring the prisoner to a medical facility for routine appointments, and that the correctional facility must accept any prisoner ordered to be delivered to them by a court warrant or arrest warrant and provide appropriate medical evaluation or treatment. The bill also states that the correctional facility housing a prisoner transferred to a medical facility must continue to have custody and control over the prisoner and provide security for the duration of the admission.

The fiscal note for this bill indicates that it would increase expenditures for the Department of Corrections, as certified corrections officers would need to provide transportation and security for residents of transitional housing units (THUs) who need to be transported to medical appointments. The Department cannot predict the number of residents who would need to be transported, but estimates that the cost for medical transports of THU residents in FY 2022 would have been $25,830 and in FY 2023 would have been $45,510. The New Hampshire Association of Counties also states that the bill would increase overtime and transportation costs for county correctional facilities and increase medical costs as Medicare or Medicaid coverage would not be available if the person is transported and secured by certified corrections officers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 623:1