Amendment 2025-2589s to HB243 (2025)

(New Title) relative to relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families, and relative to the maternal mortality review committee, electric vehicle charging stations and fees for annual testing by the division of weights and measures, and relative to the acceptance of portraits of Senator Sylvia Larsen and Senator Jeb Bradley for the state house.

Revision: June 9, 2025, 4:04 p.m.

Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21

May 30, 2025

2025-2589s

07/08

 

 

Floor Amendment to HB 243-FN

 

Amend RSA 169-C:31 as inserted by section 1 of the bill by replacing it with the following:

 

169-C:31  Immunity From Liability.

I. Anyone participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter or who provides information or assistance, including medical evaluations or consultations, in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention pursuant to a good faith report of child abuse or neglect, is immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.  Any such participant has the same immunity with respect to participation in any investigation by the department or judicial proceeding resulting from such report.

II.  Nothing in this section shall be construed as discouraging or criminalizing professional mandatory reporters, including school employees and officials, from reporting suspected abuse or neglect of a child, even if the reporter has no proof of abuse or neglect or has reason to question the veracity of a child’s report of abuse or neglect.  Good faith reporting shall not be subject to criminal or civil liability.

III.  Nothing in this section shall provide civil or criminal immunity for a professional mandatory reporter who knowingly fails to make a report of suspected abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:29 or for a person who knowingly files a false report of abuse or neglect with malice or the intent to harm under RSA 169-C:31-a.