This bill establishes a new section in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) regarding guardianship contracted services, specifically aimed at assisting older adults and adults with disabilities in transitioning from hospital settings to less restrictive environments. It allows hospitals, when all other resources have been exhausted, to seek the appointment of a guardian or conservator through the probate court for individuals who require an alternative decision-maker, are deemed incapacitated, and cannot secure guardianship services through other means. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is tasked with contracting the office of the public guardian to provide publicly funded guardianship slots, with hospitals required to apply for access to these slots, which will be subject to funding availability.

Additionally, the bill appropriates a total of $4.434 million to the DHHS for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to fund 50 publicly funded guardianship slots and create new contract guardian slots while adjusting rates for individuals served under various statutes. The bill also amends RSA 547-B:6 to ensure that reimbursement rates for guardianship services cover contractors' costs and provide access to necessary services for individuals in need. The act is set to take effect on September 30, 2025.

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