CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 11-FN-A, relative to mental health services, 16-8. This legislation would appropriate funds to address the New Hampshire mental health Emergency Room boarding crisis by increasing reimbursement rates for Designated Receiving Facilities (DRF) beds from $750 to $1,500 per day and increasing the capacity for DRFs and transitional housing facilities. Prime sponsor Senator Tom Sherman, D-Rye, released the following statement after

CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 5-FN-A, relative to making an appropriation relative to Medicaid provider rates for mental health and substance misuse, 24-0. Prime sponsor Senator Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, released the following statement after the vote: “New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion program continues to be one of the best tools we have to combat the ongoing opioid and mental health crises in our state. By leveraging federal dollars as part of a 93/7

CONCORD—Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 2-FN, relative to funding for job training programs in the department of business and economic affairs, 14-10. Prime sponsor Senator Kevin Cavanaugh, D-Manchester, released the following statement after the vote: “We can’t afford for anyone to get left behind in New Hampshire’s evolving job market. Every week there are thousands of job openings in our state due to a gap in training opportunities. This public-private partnershi

CONCORD—Today, Senator Dan Feltes introduced SB 105-FN, legislation that would restore public confidence and strengthen transparency regarding gubernatorial inaugural committees by limiting contributions and requiring the inaugural treasurer to report individual contributions over a specified amount. Senator Feltes released the following statement after the hearing: “SB 105 includes modest reforms to enhance the transparency and accountability of inaugural committees, which s

CONCORD—Today, State Senator Melanie Levesque introduced the Secure Modern Accurate Registration Technology (“SMART”) Act, legislation that would safeguard New Hampshire’s elections through the implementation of secure and modern voter registration. The legislation would put into effect a process by which eligible Granite Staters who interact with a government agency, such as the Division of Motor Vehicles, are automatically registered to vote through a secure process that pr

CONCORD—Today, Senator Dan Feltes (D-Concord) introduced legislation to establish paid family and medical leave insurance in New Hampshire. Senator Feltes provided the following statement regarding SB 1: “Paid family and medical leave is a critical tool to help New Hampshire attract and retain the workforce of tomorrow, meet the caregiving needs of our aging population, and support substance use disorder recovery efforts. After years of work on this issue, it’s time to finall

CONCORD—On Friday, January 25th , Senate President Donna Soucy released the following statement in reaction to the announcement that a deal was struck to reopen the federal government: “I’m grateful that a short-term deal to reopen the federal government has been reached, however, the past month has shined a light on the shortcomings in our system. It’s clear now is not the time to rest. We need to be proactive to ensure our federal workers in New Hampshire do not face financ

CONCORD—Today, during this legislative session’s first Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Jon Morgan (D-Brentwood) introduced an Act relative to child protection staffing and making an appropriation therefor. Prior to its introduction in the committee hearing, Senator Morgan offered the following statement: “This legislation is an effort to deliver on one of the most vital responsibilities that government owes to its people- protecting the most vulnerable in our commun

CONCORD—Today, Senator Tom Sherman (D-Rye) introduced legislation to begin to address New Hampshire’s emergency room mental health crisis. Everyday there are approximately 35 individuals awaiting mental health treatment in New Hampshire emergency rooms. Senator Sherman offered the following statement regarding Senate Bill 11: “This emergency measure will relieve pressure on our mental health system and help get patients the treatment they deserve. Currently, if you enter the

CONCORD—Today, in an effort to solve the long-standing issue of job training and worker retention in New Hampshire, Senator Kevin Cavanaugh (D-Manchester) introduced Senate Bill 2, An Act relative to funding for job training programs in the department of business and economic affairs, also known as the “Granite State Jobs Act.” Prior to the bill’s introduction in the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Cavanaugh provided the following statement: “I’m excited about introducing t