nh-2026-220: Ethical and Professional Standards, Responsibilities of Licensees

1. Agency: Board of Mental Health Practice

Agency Address: Board of Mental Health Practice c/o Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord NH 03301

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: The Board of Mental Health Practice (Board) is proposing to make changes to the Mhp 500 which outlines the responsibilities, and ethical and professional standards licensees are bound to. The proposed amendments seek to clarify that candidates for licensure, and certificate holders governed by the Board are bound by the Board's and the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification's (OPLC) rules. The proposed rules clarify the code of ethics each license type shall adhere to. The Board is seeking to adopt a rule relative to titles and what individuals governed by the Board shall and shall not call themselves. The rules seek to expand the mental health bill of rights to include the right to know the status of a licensee's license and the licensee's supervisors. Finally, the board is proposing to make technical amendments by replacing Board with OPLC as a result of the reestablishment of the OPLC under RSA 310, the legislature made these changes in HB 655, 2023. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026 X Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? If yes, please explain: These rules implement technical changes replacing Board with OPLC as a result of the legislature's reestablishment of the OPLC under RSA 310 in 2023 by HB 655, 2023, 112 and changes made by the legislature in the passage of HB 409 235:1 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: Individuals governed by the Board of Mental Health Practice and those who seek services of those governed by the Board of Mental Health Practice. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: Rule Specific State Statute the Rule Implements Mhp 501.01 RSA 330-A:10, VII-X, XVI; RSA 310:6 Mhp 501.02 RSA 330-A:10, IV – VI; RSA 330-A:10, IX Mhp 501.03 RSA 330-A:10, XVI Mhp 502.01 RSA 330-A:10, IV - VI; RSA 330-A:15 Mhp 502.02 RSA 330-A:10, XI, XVI; RSA 330-A:15

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Name: Carson Hansford Title: Administrative Rules Coordinator Address: 7 Eagle Square Phone Number: (603) 271-7809 Concord NH 03301 FAX Number: Email: oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Monday, December 28, 2026 _ Fax X Email oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov _ Other

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Friday, December 18, 2026 Time: 9:05 AM Place: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord NH 03301 Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:199, dated: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

1. Comparison of the costs of the proposed rule(s) to the existing rule(s):

When compared to the existing rules, the proposed rules will decrease costs for certain state citizens. Not applicable to MHP 501.03 which is a new rule. 2.Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds: No federal mandate, no impact on state funds. 3.Cost and benefits of the proposed rule(s): There will be a minimal cost savings for state citizens who previously chose to request a copy of all codes of ethics referenced in Mhp 501.02(a) with the repeal of the U.S. Mail $.10 per page copy fee in Mhp 501.02(b). The OPLC will no longer print copies as this information is available for free online through Appendix B.

B. To State citizens and political subdivisions:

See #3 above. Noneto political subdivisions.

C. To independently owned businesses:

None. 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: There are no costs associated with these rules. These rules do not apply to political subdivisions. These rules do not mandate or assign any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditure, and therefore, do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026