This bill mandates that outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It also requires the DHHS to designate a behavioral health specialist within the office of the ombudsman to specifically handle complaints related to substance use and mental health treatment facilities. The bill includes an appropriation of $211,000 to establish a compliance officer position to ensure adherence to these new requirements. The bill specifies that certain programs, such as impaired driver care management and nonclinical recovery support services, will be exempt from licensure.

The bill amends existing law by inserting new provisions that enhance the oversight of treatment facilities and improve the complaint resolution process. Specifically, it adds a new subparagraph to RSA 151:2, I, requiring licensure for various outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities, while also ensuring that the ombudsman's office can confidentially assist clients with complaints. The effective date for the compliance officer position is set for July 1, 2025, while the rest of the act will take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 172:1, 172:2-a, 6:12, 172:2-c, 126-A:4