New Hampshire Mental Health
Counselors' Association

  Legislative Updates

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NH LADAC Bill Passes House

House Bill 1633, a bill to enact new licensing standards for NH Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, recently passed the House of Representatives.  In addition to setting new and expanded rules and authorities to the Board of Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors, this bill establishes new requirements for and levels of LADC status. 

The proposed Masters LADC (MLADC) will require a 60 credit Masters degree in substance abuse counseling and 4000 hours of post graduate, supervised experience.  The LADC credential will require an Associates degree and 6,000 hours supervised experience or a Bachelors degree and 4,000 hours experience.  The law also establishes criteria for certification as a Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) and Clinical Supervisor.

The bill is now in the Senate Committee for review, amendment, and subsequent vote.  There had been some discussion prior to this bill leaving the House as to certain language regarding MLDC’s capacity to treat co-occurring disorders.  Whereas treating mental health disorders typically falls under the purview of the Board of Mental Health Practice the debate centered around expertise and oversight.  That language was ultimately removed from the House bill.

NHMHCA will keep members posted as this legislation progresses.


News from Jeff Weir's trip to DC
In my role as NHMHCA President-Elect and Legislative Liaison, I recently traveled to Washington DC to meet with our members of Congress around pending Medicare and Tricare legislation. Discussions with senior staff of Senator Gregg, Senator Sununu, and Congressman Bass as well as a personal meeting with Congressman Bradley, focused on eliminating the present barriers around Mental Health Counselors providing services to Tricare members. At this time LMHCs are required to receive supervision from a physician and also require referral from a physician in order to treat Tricare members. Social Workers and Family Therapists have no such restrictions. HR 1358, the Tricare Mental Health Services Enhancement Act , would serve to eliminate these cumbersome requirements with very little fiscal impact. Tricare is the insurance of military family members including reservists and National Guard. I am hopeful that this bill will pass during the current legislative session and I remain in contact with these offices in securing co-sponsorship to the bill.

S. 784, the Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act, is also pending this session. This bill would add Mental Health Counselors as providers under Medicare. This bill, however, has greater financial impact and is therefore facing greater opposition from the Republican side of the aisle. Please write Senators Gregg and Sununu urging them to support this bill should it come to a vote in this session.

Please feel free to contact me via email with any questions or concerns related to these or any other legislative issues.

Jeffrey Weir
NHMHCA President-Elect and Legislative Liaison
legislativeliaison@nhmhca.org

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