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House committee hears bill to expand mental‑health courts across New Hampshire
Summary
Lawmakers and advocates told the Judiciary Committee HB 10 67 would formalize and fund mental‑health courts statewide, arguing the courts reduce incarceration and save county dollars; community providers raised concerns about new data collection and unfunded administrative costs.
CONCORD, N.H. — Lawmakers heard hours of testimony Thursday on a bill to expand and standardize mental‑health courts across the state.
Representative Mark Pearson, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the House Judiciary Committee HB 10 67 would create a framework for local courts to identify people with serious mental illness and offer court‑supervised treatment and services as alternatives to incarceration. ‘‘Mental health court does not excuse proven crime. It does give people a way forward,’’ Pearson said.
The legislation would set standards for grant applications and require participating courts to…
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