Revision: Jan. 25, 2017, 11:23 a.m.
HB 646-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2017 SESSION
17-0653
05/04
HOUSE BILL 646-FN
AN ACT relative to the placement and detention of a minor in a secure facility.
SPONSORS: Rep. Kurk, Hills. 2; Rep. Wallner, Merr. 10; Rep. M. Smith, Straf. 6; Rep. Kotowski, Merr. 24; Sen. Bradley, Dist 3; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law
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I. Limits the cases for which secure detention may be ordered under RSA 169-B.
II. Requires the commissioner of health and human services to maintain certification of at least one residential treatment facility.
III. Limits the period of secure detention following an adjudicatory hearing under RSA 169-B.
IV. Requires most delinquency cases, other than those involving serious violent offenses, to be closed within 2 years of adjudication.
V. Provides for the release of a child from the youth services center 3 months from the date of commitment, unless a longer commitment period is required to protect the safety of the child or community, in which case, the board shall periodically review the case and appoint counsel for the child.
VI. Requires the department of health and human services to review the case of every child committed to the youth services center on a quarterly basis to determine whether a less restrictive placement is possible.
VII. Reduces the capacity of the youth services center to 20 and requires placement of children under RSA 169-B at alternative shelters and facilities.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
17-0653
05/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT relative to the placement and detention of a minor in a secure facility.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Findings. The general court finds that:
I. Placement in corrections settings can be harmful to children and lead to increased delinquency and adult criminal behavior. It should therefore be reserved for those circumstances in which the safety of a child or of the community requires such confinement.
II. Corrections placements are the most expensive treatment for court-involved juveniles, in part because such placements are largely not eligible for Medicaid and other federal financial participation;
III. Although in the last several years New Hampshire has experienced a loss of residential and community treatment capacity, it continues to have sufficient licensed residential treatment capacity which, if supported by proper staffing ratios and payment rates, is available for alternative placement for minors currently being placed at the Sununu youth services center (SYSC) who are not serious violent offenders; and
IV. Placement of children who are not serious violent offenders in settings other than SYSC would be less expensive and lead to better outcomes for children, their families, and the community.
2 New Subparagraph; Delinquent Children; Release or Detention Pending Adjudicatory Hearing. Amend RSA 169-B:14, I(e) by inserting after subparagraph (2) the following new subparagraph:
(3) Secure detention shall not be ordered for delinquency charges based on violations of RSA 637, possessory offenses without the intent to sell under RSA 318-B, or violations of RSA 262, 634, 635, 641, or 644, which would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.
3 Dispositional Hearing. Amend RSA 169-B:19, VI to read as follows:
VI. A minor committed to the youth development center for the remainder of minority may be placed at any facility certified by the commissioner of the department of health and human services for the commitment of minors. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall be responsible for notifying the court, within 5 business days, of any such placement and of any subsequent changes in placement made within 60 days of the original placement. The commissioner shall maintain certification of at least one Medicaid-eligible residential treatment facility for the transfer pursuant to this paragraph of non-violent offenders beginning January 1, 2018, and no fewer than 2 such facilities no later than July 1, 2018.
4 New Section; Limits on Extended Detention. Amend RSA 169-B by inserting after section 16 the following new section:
169-B:16-a Limits on Extended Detention Following Adjudicatory Hearing. Following an adjudicatory hearing, a child shall not be securely detained for a period or periods totaling longer than 42 days while awaiting disposition of a charge or charges arising out of a single incident. The court may permit extended detention beyond this limit if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that extended detention is necessary for the safety of the child or the public and the child consents with the assistance of counsel. In any case involving a child who is detained, the court shall ensure that the child is continuously represented by counsel during any period of detention. In cases where extended detention is permitted, the court shall hold review hearings with the child and counsel present on a weekly basis to determine whether detention continues to be justified.
5 Dispositional Hearing. Amend RSA 169-B:19, I(j) to read as follows:
(j) Commit the minor to the custody of the department of health and human services for the remainder of minority. Commitment under this subparagraph may only be made following written findings of fact by the court, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that commitment is necessary to protect the safety of the minor or of the community, and may only be made if the minor has not waived the right to counsel at any stage of the proceedings. Commitment may not be based on a finding of contempt of court if the minor has waived counsel in the contempt proceeding or at any stage of the proceedings from which the contempt arises. Commitment may include, but is not limited to, placement by the department of health and human services at a facility certified for the commitment of minors pursuant to RSA 169-B:19, VI, administrative release to parole pursuant to RSA 621:19, or administrative release consistent with the cap on youth development center population under RSA 621:10, provided that the appropriate juvenile probation and parole officer is notified. Commitment under this subparagraph shall not be ordered as a disposition for a violation of RSA 637, possession of a controlled drug without intent to sell under RSA 318-B, or violations of RSA 262, 634, 635, 641, or 644, which would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.
6 New Section; Dispositions and Case Closure in Certain Cases. Amend RSA 169-B by inserting after section 31-b the following new section:
169-B:31-c Dispositions and Case Closure in Certain Cases. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the court shall close all cases other than those involving serious violent offenses no later than 2 years after the date of adjudication. This section shall not apply if, with the assistance of counsel, the minor consents to continued jurisdiction. In this section, "serious violent offenses" means first degree murder, second degree murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide under RSA 630:3, II, first degree assault, second degree assault, except when the allegation is a violation of RSA 631:2, I(d), felonious sexual assault, aggravated felonious sexual assault, kidnapping, criminal restraint, robbery punishable as a class A felony, burglary while armed or involving the infliction of bodily harm under RSA 635:1, II, or arson punishable as a felony.
7 Youth Development Center; Releases and Discharges. Amend RSA 621:19, I-a to read as follows:
I-a. The board shall release, pursuant to paragraph I, any child committed to its care for a delinquency adjudication based on an offense other than a violent crime as defined in RSA 169-B:35-a no later than 6 months from the date of the child's commitment pursuant to RSA 169-B:19, I(j), unless the board determines that continued commitment is necessary in order to protect the safety of the child or the community, and in such case declines to release the child. Such release shall occur no later than 3 months from the date of the child's commitment if the offense would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult. If the board declines to release a child pursuant to this paragraph, it shall provide written notice to the child of his or her right to seek review of the board's decision, of his or her right to the assistance of counsel during the review process, and of the procedure the child may follow to initiate such a review. If the board declines to release a child pursuant to this paragraph, it shall consider the child for release no later than 2 months after its initial decision, and every 2 months thereafter until the child is released. If the board declines to release a child pursuant to this paragraph on a second or subsequent occasion, it shall notify the court that committed the child, and the court shall appoint counsel in each such case to assist the child in filing a petition pursuant to paragraph I-b. Parole review and release under this paragraph are not required during the period that a child is the subject of a delinquency petition which is awaiting adjudication or disposition.
8 New Paragraph; Youth Services Center; Releases and Discharges. Amend RSA 621:19 by inserting after paragraph III the following new paragraph:
IV. The department shall review, on a quarterly basis, the case of every child committed to the Sununu youth services center who is not a serious violent offender to determine if the child can safely be placed outside the Sununu youth services center. The department shall petition the court to modify the disposition of those cases in which a safe placement outside of the Sununu youth services center is possible. In this paragraph, "serious violent offender" means an offender adjudicated for a violent crime as defined in RSA 169-B:35-a, I(c) or any other felony which has as an element the actual or attempted infliction of injury upon another person within the previous 2 years or adjudicated for an offense within the last year that created a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another.
9 Youth Services Center; Population. Amend RSA 621:10, I to read as follows:
I. No residential facility at or under the control of the youth development center shall exceed, for a period of more than 24 hours, Sundays and holidays excluded, the maximum capacity for the facility as fixed by a population oversight panel composed of the fire marshal, the commissioner of the department of health and human services, and the assistant commissioner of transportation; provided that, beginning July 1, 2018, such maximum capacity shall not exceed 20 residents.
10 Youth Services Center; Capacity Reduced. On or before July 1, 2018, the total capacity of the youth services center shall be reduced to 20 or less, and the center's operations shall be transferred to a facility with a capacity of not more than 20. After July 1, 2018, the youth services center shall no longer be used for children committed under RSA 169-B, and no funds from any source shall be expended to provide such services at that facility. The commissioner shall secure shelter-care capacity sufficient to place children in need of short-term residential placement who would otherwise be eligible for detention under RSA 169-B in a state-operated or community-based facility. Current employees of the youth services center shall be either transferred to the new facility or transferred to other jobs for which they are qualified or retain their recall rights.
11 Alternative Placement Capacity for Youth; Reporting Requirement. The commissioner shall ensure that sufficient alternative placement capacity is in place for those children who prior to this act would have been placed at the Sununu youth services center. On or before September 1, 2017, a plan for development of such capacity shall be provided to the fiscal committee of the general court, and the plan shall be updated on a monthly basis until January 1, 2018. The plan shall provide for an increase in the state's capacity for placement in Medicaid-eligible settings of not less than 60 minors who will no longer be eligible for placement at the Sununu youth services center. The increase in capacity shall be implemented no later than January 1, 2018, and include a rate structure which supports the staffing ratios and other resources necessary for the safe and effective treatment of such children in residential and other treatment settings.
12 Worker Displacement. To the extent permitted by existing law and collective bargaining agreements, employees affected by the provisions of this act shall be given the highest priority for transfer to vacant positions, job retraining, and recall rights. In addition, employees who are within 5 years of regular retirement eligibility with the New Hampshire retirement system may request and shall be granted early retirement. Any required retirement payments under this provision shall be funded by the state of New Hampshire. Employees receiving early retirement under this provision shall relinquish future recall rights.
I. RSA 169-B:19, I(j), as amended by section 5 of this act, shall apply to cases pending on January 1, 2018 in which a dispositional order has not yet been entered.
II. RSA 169-B:31-c, as inserted by section 6 of this act, shall apply to cases commenced after July 1, 2017.
III. RSA 621:19, I-a, as amended by section 7 of this act, shall apply to minors confined pursuant to a commitment order at the Sununu youth services center or any successor facility after January 1, 2018.
IV. RSA 621:19, IV, as inserted by section 8 of this act, shall apply to cases in which a minor is committed to the Sununu youth services center or any successor facility after January 1, 2018.
I. Section 6 of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect January 1, 2018.
17-0653
1/24/17
HB 646-FN- FISCAL NOTE
as introduced
AN ACT relative to the placement and detention of a minor in a secure facility.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Judicial Branch were originally contacted on January 4, 2017 and again on January 9, 2017, with followup on; January 17, 2017 to the Department of Health and Human Services, and January 18, 2017 to the Judicial Branch for fiscal note worksheets, which they have not provided as of January 24, 2017.
METHODOLOGY:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note because the Office is awaiting information from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Judicial Branch. When completed a revised fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
This bill addresses the placement and detention of minors in secure facilities by implementing several changes to the delinquent children statute. The Judicial Council states that while it will have the responsibility of ensuring that any juveniles facing delinquency allegations who are unable to afford the assistance of counsel are provided a lawyer at state expense, there will likely not be a significant impact on expenditures. While there may be an increase in certain hearings as a result of the bill's provisions, another provision eliminating certain charges for which secure detention can be sought may offset any expenditure increase.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Health and Human Services, Judicial Branch, and Judicial Council