HB 1590-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-2266

09/08

 

HOUSE BILL 1590-FN

 

AN ACT relative to training regarding child abuse and neglect for licensed physicians, advance practice nurses, and physician assistants.  

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Long, Hills. 23; Rep. Grossman, Rock. 11; Rep. M. Perez, Hills. 43; Rep. Levesque, Straf. 4

 

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill sets training requirements for entities employing certain medical professionals caring for children under 18 years of age.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2266

09/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to training regarding child abuse and neglect for licensed physicians, advance practice nurses, and physician assistants.  

 

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

 

1  Findings.  The general court finds:

I.  There are New Hampshire children who have been abused or neglected, but have been missed or not reported by New Hampshire healthcare providers with tragic outcomes.

II.  Healthcare providers are mandated to report child abuse and neglect according to RSA 169-C.

III.  Healthcare providers are in a unique position to identify children who have been abused and neglected.

IV.  Voluntary training in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect has been made available to New Hampshire healthcare providers, but few have enrolled in this training.

2  New Section; Child Protection Act; Reporting Law; Training Required.  Amend RSA 169-C by inserting after section 30 the following new section:

169-C:30-a  Training Required.

All entities employing licensed physicians, advance practice nurses, or physician assistants, shall provide for those in these categories caring for any person under 18 years of age, a minimum of 2 hours of recognized and accredited training, either online or in person, concerning the recognition of child abuse and neglect and reporting mandates.  Such training shall be completed within 90 days of employment and renewed every 2 years.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.

 

LBA

24-2266

12/11/23

 

HB 1590-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to training regarding child abuse and neglect for licensed physicians, advance practice nurses, and physician assistants.  

 

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

$25,000

$50,000

$50,000

Funding Source(s)

General Fund

Appropriations

$0

$0

$0

$0

Funding Source(s)

None

Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No

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

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill establishes training requirements for entities employing medical professionals providing for individuals under the age of 18.  The training requirements are centered around the recognition of child abuse and neglect, as well as related reporting mandates.  The Department of Health and Human Services states that it currently has a contract with Mary Hitchcock Hospital to assist the Department's Division for Children, Youth, and Families with the medical evaluation of child abuse.  If this bill is adopted, the Department plans to amend the contract to include the additional training requirements for health care providers.  The Department expects the additional cost to be approximately $50,000 per year.  As the bill is effective January 1, 2025, first year costs are expected to be $25,000 in FY 2025.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Health and Human Services