The bill establishes a 988 Trust Fund in New Hampshire to enhance behavioral health crisis services, creating a new section in the law, RSA 135-C:70. The fund will be financed through a newly created telecommunications surcharge, appropriations from the general court, federal funds, and private donations. The state treasurer will manage the fund, ensuring that all moneys are nonlapsing and continually appropriated for designated purposes, including support for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The bill specifies that funds can only be used for expenses not covered by other insurance or funding sources. Additionally, it introduces a telecommunications surcharge applicable to various telephone services, with revenue directed to the 988 Trust Fund.

To oversee the fund's management, the bill establishes the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Advisory Commission under RSA 135-C:72, which will advise the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the provision of crisis services. The commission will consist of various stakeholders and will meet at least four times a year. The bill also includes confidentiality measures regarding DHHS records related to the surcharge and allows the commissioner to impose penalties on overdue surcharge receipts. The act is set to take effect 30 days after passage, with an estimated fiscal impact of $0.5 million to $1 million in license plate revenue and approximately $7.5 million in telecom surcharge revenue annually.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12, 135-C:2
As Amended by the Senate: 6:12, 135-C:2