Bill Text - HB354 (2019)

Establishing a committee to investigate whether modification should be made to the time frame for determining permanency pursuant to RSA 169-C:24-b.


Revision: Dec. 3, 2019, 10:09 a.m.

CHAPTER 129

HB 354 - FINAL VERSION

 

14Feb2019... 0172h

05/02/2019   1623s

8May2019.. 1992-EBA

2019 SESSION

19-0730

05/08

 

HOUSE BILL 354

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to investigate whether modification should be made to the time frame for determining permanency pursuant to RSA 169-C:24-b.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Gordon, Graf. 9

 

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to investigate whether modification should be made to the time frame for determining permanency pursuant to RSA 169-C:24-b.

 

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

14Feb2019... 0172h

05/02/2019   1623s

8May2019.. 1992-EBA 19-0730

05/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nineteen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to investigate whether modification should be made to the time frame for determining permanency pursuant to RSA 169-C:24-b.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

129:1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to investigate whether modifications should be made to the time frame for determining permanency pursuant to RSA 169-C:24-b.

129:2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

129:3  Duties.  

I.  The committee shall consider:

(a)  Whether the existing 12-month time frame provides parents with reasonable opportunity to correct conditions of abuse and neglect.

(b)  Whether 12 months is required in all cases when parents demonstrate no commitment or willingness to correct conditions of abuse or neglect.

(c)  Whether parents are provided adequate financial resources to correct conditions of abuse or neglect.

(d)  Whether increased drug-related cases warrant changes in the 12-month permanency period or the way it is administered.

II.  In conducting its investigation, the committee shall solicit information and testimony from:

(a)  The New Hampshire court system, including the judicial branch family division.

(b)  The department of health and human services, division for children, youth and families.

(c)  The office of the child advocate.

(d)  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire.

(e)  Any additional organization or entity the committee deems relevant to its study.

129:4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  

129:5  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2020.

129:6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 

Approved: June 25, 2019

Effective Date: June 25, 2019