N.H. Rev. Stat. § 135-C:13

Current through Chapter 381 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 135-C:13 - [Effective until 7/1/2025] Discrimination Prohibited; Eligibility for Services

Every severely mentally disabled person shall be eligible for admission to the state mental health services system, and no such person shall be denied services because of race, color or religion, sex, gender identity, or inability to pay. Admission to the state mental health services system and access to treatment and other services within the system shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriations. The community mental health program responsible for providing services shall conduct a clinical assessment of every applicant for services. The community mental health program shall prioritize delivery of services based on the severity of the individual's clinical needs. Emergency services shall be provided as needed. Services shall not be denied to persons who are conditionally discharged from a receiving facility under RSA 135-C:50, or who are ordered to submit to treatment at a community mental health program under RSA 135-C:45. Eligible persons shall include formerly severely mentally disabled persons who without continued services would probably become severely mentally disabled again. Each client has a right to adequate and humane treatment provided in accordance with generally accepted clinical and professional standards. The treatment shall include such psychological, psychiatric, habilitative, rehabilitative, vocational and case management services which are necessary and appropriate to bring about an improvement, when possible, in the client's condition and which are available within the state mental health services system. If necessary services are not available, each agency responsible for provision of such services shall notify the department of the need for them, and the department shall utilize such information for budgetary planning purposes. The treatment may include housing and such other services as the department may elect to provide to severely mentally disabled persons. Eligibility for services in the mental health system for persons under 21 years of age shall be determined after consideration of the services provided under RSA 186-C, RSA 169-B, RSA 169-C, RSA 169-D, or any other law. The commissioner shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the eligibility of severely mentally disabled persons to receive state services and the service guarantees for clients in the state system.

RSA 135-C:13

Amended by 2021, 91: 404, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2019 , 346: 61, eff. 7/1/2019.

Amended by 2019 , 332: 11, eff. 10/15/2019.

Amended by 2017 , 156: 85, eff. 7/1/2017.

Amended by 2015 , 276: §§41, 42eff. 7/1/2015.

Amended by 2013 , 140: 1, §2eff. 8/26/2013.

Amended by 2011 , 224: 19, eff. 7/1/2013.

Amended by 2011 , 224: 18, eff. 7/1/2011.

Amended by 2011 , 209: 5, eff. 7/1/2013, but later changed to 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2011 , 209: 4, eff. 7/1/2011.

1986, 212:1. 1995, 310:175, 183, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.