SB 1-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
01/19/2023 0055s
01/26/2023 0124s
14Feb2023... 0465h
2023 SESSION
23-0931
04/10
SENATE BILL 1-FN-A
SPONSORS: Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Gray, Dist 6; Sen. Ward, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill requires the closure of the Sununu youth services center, sets out parameters for the contract for a replacement facility, and makes appropriations thereof. The bill also establishes a commission to study the impacts of the secured youth development center on surrounding communities.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
01/19/2023 0055s
01/26/2023 0124s
14Feb2023... 0465h 23-0931
04/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Repeal. 2021, 91:329, relative to the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center, is repealed.
2 Appropriation; Continuation of Operations of the Sununu Youth Services Center. The sum of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of continuing operations at the Sununu youth services center through June 30, 2023. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Appropriation; Replacement Facility for the Sununu Youth Services Center. An amount not to exceed $400,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of site evaluation for a replacement facility for the Sununu Youth Services Center. When assessing potential locations, the department shall consider two possibilities: a facility with a capacity of 6 to 12 beds, and a facility with a capacity of 12-18 beds. The department shall present its recommended site for the facility to the commission established in RSA 169-B:48 no later than September 30, 2023. The appropriation contained in this section shall not lapse until June 30, 2025. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
4 Department of Health and Human Services; Sununu Youth Services Center; Construction and Operation of a Replacement Secure Facility. The department of health and human services, in collaboration with the department of administrative services, shall issue a request to procure a qualified architect on or before March 1, 2023, and shall collaborate to issue a request for proposals for a contractor to build the resulting construction project. The SYSC shall immediately be closed for detention or admission of any child when a replacement facility is sufficiently completed that children can be legally and safely housed there.
5 New Subdivision; Commission to Study Community Impacts of the Secured Youth Development Center. Amend RSA 169-B by inserting after section 47 the following new subdivision:
Commission to Study Community Impacts of the Secured Youth Development Center
169-B:48 Commission to Study Community Impacts of the Secured Youth Development Center.
I. There is established a commission to study the impacts of the secured youth development center on surrounding communities. The commission shall consider and, as needed, make recommendations on site selection, public safety, fire safety, and other relevant factors. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the commission shall consist of the following members:
(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Three senate members, appointed by the senate president.
(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services or designee.
(d) The commissioner of the department of safety or designee.
(e) The child advocate or their designee.
(f) A representative from the New Hampshire Sheriff’s Association, appointed by that organization.
(g) One or more representatives from local law enforcement agencies, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(h) One or more representatives from municipal governing bodies, appointed by the senate president.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission. The commission's study shall include procedures and practices of the secured youth development facility meant to ensure the safety of the youths held at the facility, facility staff, the people of the municipality where the facility is located, and neighboring municipalities.
III. The commission may solicit input from any person or entity the commission deems relevant to its study.
IV. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section and be called by the first-named senate member. A majority of members named to the commission shall constitute a quorum.
V. The commission shall submit a preliminary report including its findings, including its recommended site for the secured youth development center, and any recommendations for proposed legislation on or before November 1, 2023 and a final report on or before November 1, 2024 to the speaker of the house of representatives; the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library.
6 Repeal. RSA 169-B:48, relative to a commission to study community impacts of the secured youth development center, is repealed.
I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect February 28, 2023.
II. Section 6 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2024.
III. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
23-0931
Amended 1/20/23
SB 1-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2023-0055s)
AN ACT relative to the Sununu youth services center.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
|
| ||||
| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | ||||
STATE: | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | |
Appropriation | $15 million | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] Other - Federal Funds | ||||
The Legislative Budget Assistant is still awaiting information from the Department of Health and Human Services in response to this bill. The information attributed to DHHS below is based on input provided by that department in response to a similar bill.
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to construct a secured treatment facility for juveniles, with a maximum physical capacity of up to 18 beds and an operational plan to support 12 beds. The facility shall be operated by the Department, with support and shared services contracts as appropriate. The bill stipulates time frames by which the project must be initiated and completed, as well as various design parameters. Under current law, the existing Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) is scheduled to close on March 1, 2023. This bill would delay the SYSC's closure until the opening of the new facility, which shall be no later than November 1, 2024. The Department anticipates indeterminable cost savings compared to the current costs of the existing SYSC.
The Department of Administrative Services assumes that the design and construction of a new facility may take longer than the time frame established by the bill, with the project potentially not being completed until 2026. Regardless of time frame, the Department estimates total design and construction costs of $21.6 million.
The bill provides for a $15 million appropriation in FY 2023 for the design and construction of the new facility. The appropriation is to be funded first with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or other federal funds, with any remainder coming from the state general fund.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Administrative Services