Committee Summary for House Children and Family Law (03/24/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB412 00:02:37.695 - 9:02:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the conditional release of delinquent minors and children in need of services.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB412 00:16:34.538 - 9:16:00 AM	Executive Session	relative to the conditional release of delinquent minors and children in need of services.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB413 00:31:32.501 - 9:30:58 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the detention of a minor attaining the age of 18 during the pendency of a delinquency action.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB413 00:46:32.501 - 9:45:58 AM	Executive Session	relative to the detention of a minor attaining the age of 18 during the pendency of a delinquency action.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB515 01:03:37.857 - 10:03:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025
SB608 02:03:37.857 - 11:03:03 AM	Public Hearing	relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers.	Watters, David(D)[D-]2025

SB412: Representative Kim Rice, Hudson and Litchfield Information Only00:02:37.695 - 9:02:03 AM; Introduces SB 412, sponsored by Senator Victoria Sullivan at the request of DHHS. Explains the bill amends definitions in RSA 169-B:2, III and RSA 169-D:2, D:2-3 to clarify court jurisdiction over violations filed during conditional release period.
SB412: Susan Larrabee and Marie Noonan, DHHS/DCYF Support00:05:00.000 - 9:04:26 AM; Provides background on delinquency (RSA 169-B) and CHINS (RSA 169-C) statutes, their purposes for rehabilitation and accountability. Explains conditional release as probation supervised by JPPOs with specific conditions. Describes issue where courts differ on jurisdiction if violation hearing occurs after term ends despite filing during term. Bill clarifies court retains jurisdiction if violation filed before expiration, aligning with statutory purposes. Answers questions on extending probation, limits, age jurisdiction up to 18 or two years for non-violent cases.
SB412: Chair DeSimone and Committee Vote00:16:34.538 - 9:16:00 AM; Motion by Representative Rice for Ought to Pass (OTP), seconded by Representative Gregg. Discussion notes it as common sense. Unanimous yes vote (all yes). Motion to place on consent, approved without objection.
SB413: Representative Kim Rice, Hudson and Litchfield Information Only00:31:32.501 - 9:30:58 AM; Introduces SB 413, sponsored by Senator Victoria Sullivan at the request of DHHS. Explains bill amends RSA 169-B:14, I, E to allow alleged delinquent minors turning 18 to be housed in county corrections facility during detention pending hearing.
SB413: Susan Larrabee and Marie Noonan, DHHS/DCYF Support00:34:00.000 - 9:33:26 AM; Explains bill closes gap in detention statute identified in Supreme Court case In re AG (2024 NH 32), where 17-year-old turned 18 during certification process and transfer to adult facility was not authorized. Aligns detention with committal statutes, ending SYSC jurisdiction at 18 for safety and uniformity. Answers questions on jurisdiction end, sentencing past 18 (cannot hold at SYSC past 18), applicability only to certification delays, no charge upgrades, future facilities at Hampstead, court prioritization of juvenile cases.
SB413: Chair DeSimone and Committee Vote00:46:32.501 - 9:45:58 AM; Motion by Representative Corzin for Ought to Pass, seconded by Representative Rice. Discussion notes alignment with Supreme Court ruling and clarity on certification applicability. 14-0 yes vote. Motion to place on consent, approved without objection.
SB515: Peter Petrino, Milford, on behalf of Senator Pat Long Information Only01:03:37.857 - 10:03:03 AM; Introduced the bill on behalf of Senator Pat Long, explaining sections 1-3 align state statutes RSA 169B, 169C, and 169D with federal Family First Prevention Services Act requirements for QRTP placements, including CAT assessments within 30 days and judicial determinations within 60 days. Section 4 amends RSA 169C:10 to extend a provision allowing litigation to proceed if counsel is unavailable until August 1, 2027, to ensure child permanency. Section 5 provides the sunset clause. Introduced Attorney Susan Larrabee to discuss further.
SB515: Susan Larrabee, General Counsel and Legislative Liaison, DCYF, and Marie Noonan, DCYF Director Support01:06:00.000 - 10:05:26 AM; Explained the bill's two parts: first, aligning RSA 169B, 169C, and 169D with federal Family First Act for Title IV-E funding compliance on QRTP placements, requiring CAT assessment by independent qualified individual within 30 days and court approval within 60 days, correcting 2021 state statute errors. Second, extending the sunset of RSA 169C:10 provision from August 1, 2026, to 2027, allowing narrow carve-out to proceed with litigation if counsel unavailable despite diligent efforts, prioritizing non-child express interest issues, to avoid delaying permanency hearings amid attorney shortages. Noted collaboration with stakeholders, implementation since January 1, 2026, after HB2 delay, and ongoing recruitment/training. Emphasized timely permanency for children's best interests under federal and state timelines.
SB515: Karen Rosenberg Support01:33:37.857 - 10:33:03 AM; Supported SB 515 as amended by the Senate, which extends the carve-out exception to children's right to counsel until August 1, 2027, as a compromise to allow phase-in without permanent exception. Recapped SB 463's bipartisan passage establishing right to counsel for children in institutional placements or at risk, delayed by HB2 to January 1, 2026. Noted original phase-in schedule and narrow carve-out for unavailability of counsel; opposed indefinite extension as in introduced bill, as no other right to counsel statutes have such exceptions. Reported successful implementation since January, with courts appointing counsel effectively, and expressed optimism for continued success.
SB515: Lisa Wolford, Executive Director, Children's Law Center of New Hampshire Support01:48:37.857 - 10:48:03 AM; Shared experience implementing SB 463, confirming attorneys are willing to represent children with no shortages; center took six cases across courts in Laconia, Dover, Manchester, representing children in various facilities. Provided free trainings for CLE credits in January 2024, September 2024, and May 2025. Clarified GALs/CASAs represent best interests but cannot represent child's legal interests as parties; stressed complexity of cases and poor outcomes in congregate care interfering with permanency. Supported SB 515 as Senate amended, opposed permanent carve-out; noted all ~150 children assigned counsel, one lawyer handles multiple cases, rollout efficient per clerks, DCYF, CASAs.
SB515: Jessica King, New Hampshire Judicial Branch Support01:55:00.000 - 10:54:26 AM; Confirmed all children in residential treatment have attorneys since January 1, 2026; program working well. Senate amendment allows time to evaluate sustainability of attorney pool post-phase-in (last phase January 1, 2026). Compromise protects child's right to counsel while ensuring cases proceed for permanency; unable to specify carve-out usage due to confidentiality but offered to investigate.
SB515: Marcia Sink, CEO, CASA of New Hampshire Oppose02:00:00.000 - 10:59:26 AM; Supported original SB 515 without amendment; opposed Senate amendment extending carve-out to 2027, as it risks delaying cases and increasing trauma for children in residential care. Noted all children received attorneys since January; GALs/CASAs represent best interests after extensive involvement, include child's expressed wishes in reports per court rules, encourage court attendance for voice. CASA served 1500 children last year in 900+ cases with rigorous training; has in-house attorneys for complex cases. Questioned necessity of counsel for very young children like 3-year-olds, emphasizing family reunification efforts.
SB608: Senator David Waters, District 4 Support02:03:37.857 - 11:03:03 AM; Introduced the bill, which directs DHHS to seek CMS waivers to include family caregiver support in programs for acquired brain disorder, choices for independence, and home/community-based services; outlines trauma-informed training at no cost. Modifies child care scholarship work requirements to include retirement-age individuals per Social Security definition, aiding kinship caregivers like grandparents. Noted importance of kin caregiving (170,000 NH adults involved, saves state costs); 26 states have similar waivers. Sections 5-6 add contingency for waiver approval and fiscal committee review to avoid immediate fiscal impact; noted potential amendment for systems changes costs into next budget.
SB608: Senator Debra Altschiller, District 24, on behalf of Patricia Vincent Peat, Concord Support02:08:00.000 - 11:07:26 AM; Shared story of constituent Patricia Vincent Peat caring for husband Jim with cerebral palsy, quitting job during pandemic; now Patricia has long COVID, provides 40-45 hours/week care while receiving some state pay. Emphasized need for family caregiver support to avoid institutionalization, saving state millions; urged passage, noting bipartisan Senate support (5-0 HHS, voice vote floor; 6-0 Finance, voice vote).
SB608: Amanda Carter, Kinship Navigator, River Center Family and Community Resource Center, Peterborough Support02:10:00.000 - 11:09:26 AM; Appreciated bill prioritizing prevention/support for families; shared example of single grandmother client caring for disabled 6-year-old, working as cleaner, needing childcare assistance to maintain home—removing cost-share crucial for such families.
SB608: Kathy Dickey, Bow Support02:12:00.000 - 11:11:26 AM; With husband John, raising four grandchildren (ages 9, 6, 5, 3) since 9-year-old was 10 months old; both working at time, highlighting challenges and need for support in kinship care.
SB608: Brian Clark, Wendy Altman, Jonathan Brayman (Bureau of Adult and Aging Services and Bureau of Child Development) Information Only02:18:37.857 - 11:18:03 AM; The speakers introduced themselves as representatives from the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services and the Bureau of Child Development. Brian Clark noted that in addition to the bill's provisions, there would be a $310,000 impact for necessary system changes in this biennium and mentioned they are working on an amendment to address this. They offered to answer questions.
SB608: Elena Slidji, CFI case manager with Crotched Mountain Community Care Support02:25:00.000 - 11:24:26 AM; Elena Slidji spoke in strong support of SB 608, advocating for the families' stories heard earlier. With 15 years of experience supporting families under ABDDD and CFI waivers, she emphasized that the bill aligns with home and community-based care services to keep individuals safely at home and prevent institutional placements. The bill provides caregiver training, peer support, and education, transforming caregiving into a manageable role and leading to cost savings by reducing reliance on institutional care. From her experience, trained caregivers are more successful and resilient, especially during transitions from rehabilitation. She advocated for structured supports instead of vague advice like finding resources online.
SB608: Ashley Sinan, Director of the Seacoast Dementia Hub Support02:33:37.857 - 11:33:03 AM; Ashley Sinan expressed passionate support for SB 608. As director of the grant-funded Seacoast Dementia Hub, which serves caregivers for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer's, she noted that since its launch in September, it has served 49 primary caregivers. There is an overwhelming need for emotional supports and resources, as caregivers feel isolated and frustrated navigating the system and dealing with complex emotions.
SB608: Lily Wellington, Executive Director for the State's Commission on Aging Support02:35:00.000 - 11:34:26 AM; Lily Wellington stated the Commission's support for SB 608. She highlighted it as a sustainability issue amid the workforce crisis in direct care. Family members often fill care gaps for people with disabilities, and the bill would ensure they receive needed care in the community, which is the most economical option.

DeSimone, Debra(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Nelson, Jodi(Clerk)(R)[B]2025	Rice, Kimberly(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025
McMahon, Charles(R)[B+]2025	Love, David(R)[B+]2025	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025
Korzen, Lori(R)[B+]2025	Georges, Mary(D)[D-]2025	Raymond, Heather(D)[CT]2025
Gregg, Alicia(D)[D-]2025	Petrigno, Peter(D)[F]2025	Grossman, Gaby(D)[IN]2025
Levesque, Cassandra (D)[D-]2025	Malone, Amy(D)[D-]2025	Markell, Jay(R)[B]2025