Child Protection Legislation Led by Senate Democrats Passes the Senate
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate passed HB 1162, an omnibus child protection bill. HB 1162 next goes to the House of Representatives for a concurrence vote, which requires a simple majority.
After the vote, Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) issued the following statement:
“As a state, we have given very public attention to the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus. However, as the state reopens we will be faced with a public health crisis that has been forced to remain quiet, the protection and welfare of our children. For children living in abusive homes, the loss of their classroom experience, after school programs, and community centers, meant that their pathways to disclose abuse were either partially or completely eliminated. To disclose abuse away from the home is painful, to try and disclose behind closed doors is a nearly impossible challenge.
As lawmakers, we must do everything in our power to protect our children. This means advocating for the resources our children need to be safe and successful including clarifying our provisions on adoption to ensure more loving homes for New Hampshire children, enhancing the Office of the Child Advocate, and putting critical health and safety programs in place for children exposed to substance use disorder, neglect, and abuse.”
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