Committee Summary for Senate Children and Family Law (01/15/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB412 00:06:01.360 - 9:01:37 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the conditional release of delinquent minors and children in need of services.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB413 00:14:20.320 - 9:09:56 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
SB515 2026-0055s 00:24:24.559 - 9:20:00 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
SB412 -	Executive Session	relative to the conditional release of delinquent minors and children in need of services.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB413 -	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 2026-115s 00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM	Executive Session	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

SB412: Senator Victoria Sullivan, Senate District 18 Information Only00:06:01.360 - 9:01:37 AM; Senator Sullivan introduces SB412, sponsored at the request of the NH Department of Health and Human Services. The bill amends the definition of conditional release in RSA 169-B:8 and RSA 169-D:23 to clarify that the court retains jurisdiction over violations filed within the conditional release period, allowing modification of conditions.
SB412: Susan Laravey, General Counsel, DCYF Information Only00:07:08.720 - 9:02:44 AM; Attorney Laravey explains the purpose of RSA 169-B and 169-D, which provide fair court proceedings, services, and promote youth accountability. Conditional release involves supervision by a JPO with five key conditions: remain arrest-free, abide by laws, follow court orders, submit to searches, avoid weapons, and follow a personal success plan. Currently, differing judicial opinions lead to dismissals if hearings aren't scheduled before the term ends. The bill ensures jurisdiction if violations are filed within the term, aligning with goals of accountability.
SB412: Marie Nunan, Division Director, DCYF Information Only00:07:08.720 - 9:02:44 AM; Ms. Nunan confirms she has nothing to add but is available for questions.
SB413: Senator Victoria Sullivan, Senate District 18 Information Only00:14:20.320 - 9:09:56 AM; Senator Sullivan introduces SB413, sponsored at the request of the NH Department of Health and Human Services. The bill amends RSA 169-B:4(e) to allow alleged delinquent minors who reach age 18 to be housed in county corrections facilities pending an adjudicatory hearing. Attorney Laravey is available to explain further.
SB413: Susan Larby, DCYF General Counsel Legislative Liaison, with Marie Nunan, DCYF Director Support00:15:34.399 - 9:11:10 AM; Susan Larby explains that SB 413 amends RSA 169-B:14, I-I to allow juveniles charged under delinquency statutes who turn 18 during adjudication to be held in county correctional facilities. She highlights a gap in current law regarding detention locations for those over 18, referencing a 2024 Supreme Court ruling (In re A.G., 2024-NH-32) that found no authorization for transferring 18-year-olds to adult facilities. The bill aims to align detention with committal statutes, ensuring uniformity at SYSC for those under 18 to protect safety. She provides copies of the opinion and offers to answer questions.
SB515 2026-0055s: Senator Pat Long, District 20 Support00:24:24.559 - 9:20:00 AM; Senator Long, prime sponsor, presents SB 515FN at the request of DHHS. Sections 1-3 make minimal changes to RSA 169-B, 169-C, and 169-D to align with federal Family First Prevention Services Act requirements for qualified residential treatment programs (QRTP), including assessments within 30 days and court determinations within 60 days. Section 4 amends RSA 169-C:10 to retain language sunsetting August 1, 2026, allowing proceedings to continue if counsel is unavailable despite diligent efforts, ensuring child permanency. He mentions an amendment (2026-0055s) satisfactory to interested parties and introduces Susan Larby for questions.
SB515 2026-0055s: Susan Larby, DCYF General Counsel Legislative Liaison, with Marie Nunan, DCYF Director Support00:27:18.240 - 9:22:54 AM; Susan Larby details the bill's two parts. First, it corrects language in RSA 169-B, 169-C, and 169-D to match federal FFPSA requirements for QRTP placements: a qualified individual conducts a comprehensive assessment (CAT) within 30 days, and courts review within 60 days to secure Title IV-E funding. The bill removes the erroneous requirement for court-ordered CAT. Second, it extends the sunset of RSA 169-C:10, II(e)(2) to August 1, 2027, via amendment, allowing proceedings to proceed without immediate counsel if unavailable, prioritizing non-child-interest issues to meet strict timelines for permanency hearings (e.g., 60 days for adjudication, 30 for disposition). This addresses attorney shortages (150 needed for RTP placements) while ensuring timely child outcomes, with DCYF notifying courts for appointments since November 2026.
SB515 2026-0055s: Karen Rosenberg, Disability Rights Center, and Emily Lawrence, Waypoint, on behalf of Youth Policy Advocacy Coalition (YPAC) Support00:36:36.560 - 9:32:12 AM; Karen and Emily represent YPAC, including NH Legal Assistance, Children's Law Center, New Hampshire, New Futures, and ACLU NH. They support sections 1-3 aligning state law with federal QRTP requirements. For section 4, they support the amendment extending the sunset to 2027 as a compromise, avoiding a permanent exception to children's right to counsel established in SB 463 (effective January 2026 after HB2 delay). They note SB 463's findings on counsel's benefits for child rights, agency, and permanency. Despite recruitment efforts and early successes, the extension provides time without assuming failure, allowing future legislation if issues arise.
SB515 2026-0055s: Lisa Wolford, Executive Director, Children's Law Center of New Hampshire Oppose00:41:56.160 - 9:37:32 AM; Lisa Wolford supports the amendment but opposes the unamended bill. Her organization provides representation in child welfare cases and conducts trainings for SB 463 implementation. She emphasizes preventing child institutionalization, as SB 463 (bipartisan, led by Sen. Carson) mandates counsel for children's expressed interests, especially in RTP cases, to protect rights and achieve better outcomes. Evidence shows institutional placements yield worse permanency and high costs; DCYF aims to reduce them. The unamended bill creates a permanent counsel exception, premature given early successes (e.g., CLCNH taken 5 cases across counties, other lawyers volunteering). Timely permanency is better served by avoiding institutions and ensuring counsel, particularly under complex RSA 169-F:8 factors for placements. Excluding abuse/neglect children from counsel violates equal protection compared to CHINS/delinquency cases.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Information Only00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; The chair opens the executive session on SB 515-FN and calls for a motion on ought to pass as amended with amendments.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; A committee member makes a motion for ought to pass as amended with amendments.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; The motion is seconded.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; A committee member offers amendment 2026-115s.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; The amendment is seconded.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:51:09.760 - 9:46:45 AM; The committee votes to adopt the amendment, with the ayes prevailing.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Information Only00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The chair confirms the amendment aligns properly and asks for further discussion on the motion to ought to pass as amended.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The committee votes on ought to pass as amended, with the ayes prevailing.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; A committee member moves for consent.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The motion for consent is seconded.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The committee votes in favor of consent, with the ayes prevailing.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The chair makes a motion to come out of executive session.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The motion to come out of executive session is seconded.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:52:14.800 - 9:47:50 AM; The committee votes to come out of executive session, with the ayes prevailing.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:53:30.960 - 9:49:06 AM; The chair makes a motion to adjourn.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Member Vote00:53:30.960 - 9:49:06 AM; The motion to adjourn is seconded.
SB515 2026-115s: Committee Chair Vote00:53:30.960 - 9:49:06 AM; The committee votes to adjourn, with the ayes prevailing. Senator Long is noted but no specific action attributed.