This bill establishes a new commission under RSA 126-A to study the feasibility of reestablishing a state psychiatric hospital for adults with severe mental illness. The commission will consist of three members from the House of Representatives, two members from the Senate, and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Corrections. The commission's responsibilities include reviewing the current mental health capacity in New Hampshire, examining the prevalence of individuals with severe mental illness in jails and emergency rooms, evaluating the costs and staffing needs for a new facility, and considering best practices from other states. The commission is required to report its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill includes a repeal of RSA 126-A:5-g, which pertains to the commission's study of the need for and feasibility of reestablishing the psychiatric hospital. The effective date for the repeal is set for November 1, 2026, while the remainder of the act will take effect upon its passage. The new legal language inserted into the law establishes the commission and outlines its duties, while the deletion removes the previous section related to the commission's study.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 126-A:5-g