relative to the use of harm reduction services to treat alcohol and other substance misuse.

This bill updates New Hampshire laws to formally include harm reduction strategies in the state's plan for preventing and treating substance misuse. It defines "drug misuse" as using substances outside legal or medical guidelines and establishes a specific definition for harm reduction that focuses on preventing overdose and disease while connecting people to care. The legislation also requires physicians to complete specific continuing education on pain management or addiction disorders as part of their license renewal. These changes aim to broaden the scope of care available across the substance use continuum without limiting necessary medical treatments for chronic pain or hospice patients.