HB 1558-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2016 SESSION
\t16-2055
\t05/06
HOUSE BILL\t1558-FN
AN ACT\trequiring the university system of New Hampshire to examine the disposition of children in state custody.
SPONSORS:\tRep. Brewster, Merr. 21
COMMITTEE:\tEducation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ANALYSIS
\tThis bill requires the university system of New Hampshire to conduct a child welfare study, the objective of which shall be to analyze the disposition of children in state custody.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.
\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
\t16-2055
\t05/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT\trequiring the university system of New Hampshire to examine the disposition of children in state custody.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
\t1 University System of New Hampshire; Child Welfare Study; Analysis of the Disposition of Children in State Custody.
\t\tI. The university system of New Hampshire shall conduct a child welfare study, the objective of which shall be to analyze the disposition of children in state custody. The study and analysis shall include:
\t\t\t(a) Identification of the number of children in out-of home placements, as well as the type, frequency, and duration of such placements.
\t\t\t(b) Determination of the number of children who are subsequently adopted and the number of children who remain in foster care or other residential placements.
\t\t\t(c) A longitudinal study of children in state custody, including where the children were placed, the duration of each placement, whether the children were able to have a relationship with either parent after placement, an assessment of their mental and physical health before and after placement, socio-economic data regarding the children's parents, and any additional information deemed relevant to the study.
\t\t\t(d) Evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Child Protection Act, RSA 169-C, and the department of health and human services, office of child protective services.
\t\t\t(e) Consideration of the findings of the petitions for redress and grievances committee, established by the New Hampshire house of representatives for the 2011 legislative session, including solicitation of direct testimony from petitioners willing to contribute to the study and analysis.
\t\t\t(f) Solicitation of information from individuals and organizations with experience or expertise deemed relevant to the study and analysis. The university system shall not rely on policy recommendations from the department of health and human services; the department may be consulted only for statistical and factual information.
\t\tII. On or before November 1, 2016, the university system shall submit a report of its findings and any recommendations for legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the governor, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the state library. Beginning November 1, 2018, the university system shall submit a biennial report regarding the longitudinal study of children in state custody.
\t2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t16-2055
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t11/25/15
HB 1558-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT\trequiring the university system of New Hampshire to examine the disposition of children in state custody.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The University System of New Hampshire states this bill, as introduced, will increase state expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2017 and each year thereafter. There will be no impact on state, county, and local revenues or county and local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The University System of New Hampshire states this bill requires it to conduct biennially a longitudinal study of children in state custody, evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the Child Protection Act and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child Protective Services, and prepare a report of findings and recommendations. The System states collecting the information and identifying current status of children in protective custody is expected to involve minimal resource expenditure, however analyzing findings and forming recommendations that may have the potential to shape public policy will involve greater expense. Assuming an effective date of 60 days after passage, the System states a November 2016 deadline does not give sufficient time to meet report requirements. The System estimates total staff and related costs of $63,000 per biennium to meet this bill’s requirement.