Senate Protects Youth in the Custody of the State

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CONCORD, NH – Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) and Senator Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton), released the following statement today on the Committee of Conference report for SB 417-FN and HB 1573, relative to out-of-home placement for children:

“Children are often unable to advocate for themselves, which is why it is up to legislators to be their voice. These bills prioritize keeping children in an out-of-home placement with their siblings, grandparents, other family members, or fictive kin, and importantly, in their communities. They also create a certification team for certifying residential treatment facilities for kids that helps ensure our youth are safe and their well-being is prioritized. These bills also expand evidence courts may consider when determining whether it is in a child’s best interest to give a non-custodial parent custody of a child already in the state’s custody due to abuse of neglect. This bill strikes a balance between the rights and safety of the child and the rights of parents,” said Senator Carson.

“It is one of our highest duties as lawmakers to protect New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children, and we must act with extreme care and caution when placing a child in an out-of-home situation. I am truly grateful for the bipartisan work of everyone involved with SB 417, as I know we all had the best interests of children and families at the forefront of our hearts and minds. SB 417 will protect our most vulnerable children and make New Hampshire a safer place for Granite State kiddos to grow and thrive into the amazing people they are meant to be,” added Senator Whitley.

Senate Clarifies Term Juvenile Delinquent

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CONCORD, NH –Senate Majority Leader Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued the following statement today on the Senate passing SB 506-FN, relative to aligning statutes with the age of a delinquent established under the juvenile delinquency statute:

“Our children should not be subject to laws geared towards adults. This bill works to correct the current statute to have juvenile delinquency defined as a person under 18 years old. Making our statutes more consistent means 17-year-old juvenile delinquents are not being tried like adults.”

Background: SB 506-FN aligns other statutes with the juvenile delinquency statute, RSA 169-B, which provides that a delinquent includes anyone under 18 years of age. Majority Leader Sharon Carson is the prime sponsor of this bill.

Senator Carson Introduces Bills to Protect New Hampshire Children

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CONCORD, NH –Senate Majority Leader Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry) issued the following statement today on her introduction of two bills that strengthen protections for New Hampshire children SB 459-FN and SB 463-FN:

“There is nothing more important than protecting our children. That is why I have introduced SB 463, expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings, and SB 459, relative to the presumption of harm under the child protection act.”

“Both of these bills seek to give children a voice and advocate for what is in their best interest. Children are the most vulnerable of our population, and they depend on us to take proactive steps like these to keep them safe.”

Background: SB 463-FN requires the court to appoint an attorney to represent the expressed interests of a child who is placed in a group home or childcare institution.

SB 459-FN adds the use of restraint or seclusion to the definition of institutional child abuse or neglect in the child protection act, updates the rebuttable presumption of harm, and updates the mandatory reporting law to protect youth.

Majority Leader Sharon Carson is the prime sponsor for both bills. They were introduced today in the Senate Judiciary hearing.