This bill establishes a new section in the law, RSA 151-E:28, which allows hospitals to seek the appointment of a guardian or conservator for older adults or adults with disabilities who require assistance with discharge from a hospital to a less restrictive setting. The criteria for seeking guardianship include the individual being incapacitated, requiring an alternative decision-maker, and being unable to secure guardianship services through other means. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with contracting the office of the public guardian to provide publicly funded guardianship slots for these individuals, contingent on available funding.

Additionally, the bill appropriates a total of $4.434 million to the Department of Health and Human Services for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to fund 50 new publicly funded guardianship slots and to create additional contract guardian slots for individuals served under various statutes. The bill also amends RSA 547-B:6 to ensure that rates for guardianship services are sufficient to cover contractor costs and provide access to necessary services. The act is set to take effect on September 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 161-F:52, 547-B:6