CHAPTER 100
SB 377 - FINAL VERSION
2000 SESSION
01/09
SENATE BILL 377
COMMITTEE: Public Institutions, Health and Human Services
This bill requires the commissioner of health and human services to establish peer support programs within the department. The bill grants the commissioner rulemaking authority for the purposes of the bill.
This bill is a request of the department of health and human services.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
00-2166
01/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand
AN ACT relative to peer support programs within the department of health and human services.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
100:1 New Chapter; Peer Support Programs. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 126-M the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 126-N
126-N:1 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to recognize the effectiveness of mutual peer supports to the capacity of individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the workforce, in their families, and in the life of their community.
126-N:2 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of health and human services.
II. "Department" means the department of health and human services.
126-N:3 Peer Support Programs. The commissioner shall establish within the department peer support programs. Peer support programs shall:
I. Foster the self advocacy skills, autonomy, and independence of individuals who receive services from the department.
II. Ensure that individuals with disabilities are informed and involved in system-wide service planning, program evaluation, and educational and training activities.
III. Provide information, networking, and assistance to local self advocacy and peer support organizations and activities.
IV. Offer training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities to advocate on their own behalf with regard to their health care and private managed care systems.
V. Undertake other activities to foster the goals of this chapter.
126-N:4 Rulemaking. The commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the proper administration of this chapter.
100:2 Intent; Applicability. The intent of this act is to require the commissioner of the department of health and human services to establish peer support programs within the division of developmental services and the division of behavioral health. The commissioner may establish peer support programs in other divisions or offices of the department of health and human services as needed to support the individuals serviced by the department.
100:3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2001.
(Approved: April 27, 2000)
(Effective Date: January 1, 2001)