Week of April 15, 2024

Crossover has officially occurred! With bills now passing between the House and Senate, there are plenty of opportunities to act for mental health in the Granite State.

Read on for opportunities in the following areas:

• Public Hearings:
• Ensure proper safeguards in federal NICS reporting — Support HB 1711
• Support the mental health of trans youth — Oppose HB 1660
• Study the impacts of the housing crisis — Support HB 1168
• Reduce hunger in children and people with disabilities — Support SB 499
• Improve mental health services in county corrections facilities — Support SB 508

• Executive Session:
• Create voluntary certification for Community Health Workers — Support SB 403

Click here to read NAMI NH's testimony and explore advocacy in support of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.

Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out: advocacy@NAMINH.org

"NAMI NH is profoundly disappointed that on Friday some NH legislators voted to curtail the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals – particularly targeting trans youth. Here in New Hampshire, suicide is the leading cause of death for children ages 10 – 14 and the second leading cause of death for those age 15 – 34. LGBTQ+ youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Data from the Trevor Project indicates that discriminatory legislation targeting the rights of LGBTQ+ folks has a negative impact upon the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth. There is no question that our young people are watching and listening..."

Full Statement | 24/7 support | LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources

Public Hearings

HB 1711 – authorizing the state to report mental health data for firearms background check purposes and providing for processes for confiscation of firearms following certain mental health-related court proceedings and for relief from mental health-related firearms disabilities.

NAMI NH Supports

April 16th, 2:00 pm

State House Room 100

Senate Judiciary Committee

HB 1711 would allow for the reporting of involuntary emergency psychiatric admissions (IEA) to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. NAMI NH worked with the sponsors of this bill to include safeguards to reduce discrimination and stigmatization of individuals with mental illness and therefore cautiously supports this bill.

HB 1660 – relative to coverage of certain procedures for minor children under the state’s Medicaid program.

NAMI NH Opposes

April 17th, 10:00 am

State House Room 100

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

HB 1660 jeopardizes the health and well-being of transgender youth by prohibiting Medicaid from covering gender-affirming surgeries, thereby limiting access to care.

SB 499 – relative to reduction of hunger for children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

NAMI NH Supports

April 17th, 2:30 pm

Legislative Office Building Rooms 210-211

House Finance Committee

Food security and hunger are key determinants of an individual's physical and mental health. SB 499 takes important steps to address hunger and protect the mental health of school-aged children by expanding free and reduced-price meals and aiding eligible families over the summer by implementing a summer electronic benefits transfer program.

HB 1168 – establishing a committee to study the impact of the housing crisis on people with disabilities.

NAMI NH Supports

April 18th, 1:00 pm

Legislative Office Building Room 101

Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Lack of access to safe, stable housing has a profoundly negative impact on an individual's mental health, and appropriate housing is a key aspect of recovery. HB 1168 would establish a committee to study the impacts of the housing crisis on people with disabilities, looking to identify and address gaps in our available resources.

SB 508 – relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community.

NAMI NH Supports

April 19th, 11:00 am

Legislative Office Building Rooms 202-204

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Despite court mandates, there is a significant lack of access to adequate mental health care in incarcerated settings. Over 60% of people with a history of mental illness do not receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prisons. NAMI NH believes that all people with mental health conditions who are incarcerated deserve access to quality mental health and substance use disorder treatment. SB 508 requires the superintendent of the county department of corrections to have their contracted behavioral health treatment providers use validated screening tools for mental health and substance use disorder. It would also allow county corrections facilities to permit licensed community-based treatment providers to access the facility to coordinate services upon reentry into the community. 

How to Submit Remote Testimony

Looking to sign in to support or oppose one of the bills highlighted above? Follow these easy steps to register your opinion on the official record online:

1. Access the Sign-In Form: House Sign-In | Senate Sign-In
2. Select the date of the hearing
3. Select the committee the bill is assigned to
4. Choose the bill
5. Select that you are a member of the public and representing yourself
6. Choose your position on the bill
7. If you are submitting to the House, you may type or upload written testimony to be added to the record.
8. If you are submitting to the Senate and wish to provide written testimony, you will have to email it to the committee separately.
9. Press continue/submit, and you're finished!

Executive Session

SB 403 – relative to the health care workforce.

NAMI NH Supports

April 17th, 2:30 pm

Legislative Office Building Rooms 206-208

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

SB 403 establishes voluntary certification for Community Health Workers, which would go a long way in building the CHW workforce. CHWs employ a deep understanding of the communities they work with, often sharing language, socioeconomic status, and lived experience. CHWs reach out and work with populations experiencing homelessness who have a higher rate of serious mental illness than the general population. As a result, expanding the CHW workforce would go far in addressing the mental health workforce shortage and connecting vulnerable and marginalized populations with the services they need.

Contact the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee and ask them to Support SB 403.