September 2009
2009 Legislative Session
As we approach Labor Day, work on study committees and retained bills begins to ramp up. New Futures will be devoting time to:
HB 410 (relative to the licensure of drug and alcohol counselors). We are focused on assisting the committee to reach a solution that would permit appropriately qualified MLADCs (Masters level Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors) to provide treatment to individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illnesses.
HB 2 Study Committee to examine the organizational structure of the Liquor Commission. Our interest here is that the Liquor Commission Bureau of Enforcement and Licensing should remain within the Commission and not be transferred to the Department of Safety. The Organizational Meeting will be Thursday, September 3.
2010 Legislative Session
The filing period for 2010 legislation starting in the House is September 21-25, 2009 (the Senate deadlines have not yet been established) and we are thinking about possible legislative initiatives in 2010 for presentation with the soon to be created Board Policy Committee.
Federal Health Reform
Because of its potential impact on access to treatment for substance use disorders, we are keeping abreast of developments with regard to federal health reform through such national organizations as Faces and Voices of Recovery and the Kaiser Family Foundation and our participation as a member of the leadership team of the New Hampshire organization VOICES for Health. We anticipate that there will be the opportunity for advocacy with our federal congressional delegation as the debate continues in Washington.
For more information about legislative issues, please contact Tricia Lucas at 225-9540.