HB 1593-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-2282

05/10

 

HOUSE BILL 1593-FN

 

AN ACT relative to funding for developmental services community integration.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Stringham, Graf. 3; Rep. Edwards, Rock. 31

 

COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a developmental services community integration fund in the department of health and human services to support individuals with developmental disabilities and makes an appropriation therefor.

 

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2282

05/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to funding for developmental services community integration.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Statement of Intent.  The general court hereby finds that people with developmental disabilities have been historically excluded from certain social interactions, employment opportunities, and educational environments.  Community integration, including recreation is a way to ensure that all people have access to the full spectrum of social, educational, and professional opportunities.  These opportunities are embedded within the existing community, rather than segregated.  This not only promotes the well-being of individuals, but also increases the overall health of the entire community.

2  New Section; Developmental Services Community Integration Fund.  Amend RSA 171-A by inserting after section 8-b the following new section:

171-A:8-c  Developmental Services Community Integration Fund.  There is hereby established in the state treasury the developmental services community integration fund.  The fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of providing community integration support and services, including recreational activities, to individuals with developmental disabilities.  The commissioner of the department is authorized to accept gifts, grants, donations, or other funding from any source and shall deposit such revenue in the fund.  The department shall record and track all requests for funding under this section including, but not limited to, the amount of each request, the reason for the request, whether the request was approved and, if denied, the reason for denial.  The fund shall be used to provide services that are excluded from the Medicaid program.  The fund shall only be used to provide services that are included in the individual service agreement, as defined in RSA 171-A:12.  The commissioner shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to administration of the fund, including authorized use of community integration funds and eligibility requirements.

3  New Subparagraph; Dedicated Funds; Developmental Services Community Integration Fund.  Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (394) the following new subparagraph:

(395)  Moneys deposited in the developmental services community integration fund established in RSA 171-A:8-c.

4  Appropriation; Developmental Services Community Integration Fund.  The sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for deposit in the developmental services community integration fund established in RSA 171-A:8-c.  This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department of health and human services.  The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

5  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

 

LBA

24-2282

Revised 1/10/24

 

HB 1593-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to funding for developmental services community integration.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

 

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

$0

$0

$0

Revenue Fund(s)

None

Expenditures

$0

$1,051,000

$53,000 + any funds appropriated

$56,000 + any funds appropriated

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$1,000,000

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] See Below

Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill establishes a developmental services community integration fund within the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund shall be used to provide community integration supports and services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill specifically states that the new fund shall be used to provide services that are excluded from the Medicaid program. The bill contains a general fund appropriation of $1 million in FY25 for deposit into the fund.   The Department of Health and Human Services anticipates needing an additional part-time employee to implement the fund, at a cost of $51,000 in FY25, $53,000 in FY26, and $56,000 in FY27.  The Department assumes that the cost of this position will not be paid for from the fund itself.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services