The proposed bill, SB 498-FN, establishes the New Hampshire Children's Behavioral Health Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding childhood behavioral health services through assessments collected from insurance carriers and third-party administrators. The assessments will be based on "assessable lives," defined as children under 19 years of age with applicable health coverage, excluding those covered by Medicaid. The funds collected will be deposited into a dedicated Childhood Behavioral Health Services Fund, managed by the insurance commissioner. The bill outlines the governance structure of the association, including a board of directors composed of representatives from various stakeholders, and mandates that assessable entities report their assessable lives and remit assessments quarterly.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to require health insurers to submit comparative analyses of benefits for medical/surgical services and mental health/substance use disorder services for consumers aged 0-5 and 18 and younger. It also includes provisions for the exemption of the association from certain taxes and establishes immunity from liability for its members. The act is set to take effect 60 days after passage. While the bill aims to enhance mental health services for children, it raises concerns regarding potential legal challenges and the impact on health insurance premiums and local government expenditures. The bill does not specify any deletions from current law but introduces new legal language related to the establishment and operation of the association and the fund.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 417-E:1
SB498 text: 417-E:1