How HB 1067 changes current law

Compared against the N.H. Revised Statutes Annotated as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill revises the existing legal framework for mental health courts by updating policies, restructuring implementation, and introducing a grant program for funding.

• RSA 490-H:1

  Reduucing the costs of incarceration; → Reducing the costs of incarceration, by reducing the frequency of involuntary emergency admissions and by lowering recidivism and reducing the long-term costs by providing alternative interventions to incarceration by improving treatment and prevention options for those living with mental illness;

  The change specifies methods to reduce incarceration costs and emphasizes treatment and prevention for individuals with mental illness.

• RSA 490-H:2

  Section 490-H:2 Implementation of Mental Health Courts. → RSA 490-H:2 Mental Health Court; Structure.

  This change updates the title of the section to reflect a focus on the structure of mental health courts.

• RSA 490-H:2

  the following elements: → the guidelines for mental health courts as adopted by the New Hampshire supreme court.

  The definition of 'mental health court' now refers to specific guidelines established by the New Hampshire supreme court.

• RSA 490-H

  490-H:4 Mental Health Court; Implementation.

  This introduces a new section outlining the implementation of mental health courts.

• new section 490-H:4

  As used in this chapter: (a) "Risk assessment" means a formal written evaluative tool approved by the office of the statewide treatment courts (OSTC) that measures the individual's risk to public safety and to personal safety, including a consideration of recidivism.

  Defines 'risk assessment' to ensure standardized evaluation tools are used.

• new section 490-H:4

  II. The judicial branch, through the administrative office of the courts, OSTC, shall be responsible for developing an application process by which counties, districts, or non-profits may apply for a state grant to operate mental health court within their area.

  Assigns the judicial branch the responsibility to create a grant application process for mental health courts.

• new section 490-H:4

  (a) Determine approval requirements including the development of a New Hampshire mental health court approval checklist.

  Creates an approval checklist for mental health court grants to ensure adherence to required standards.

• new section 490-H:4

  If approved, the county, district, or non-profit shall sign a contract which includes the following requirements:

  Establishes contractual obligations for grant recipients to ensure compliance and effective operation of mental health courts.