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HB 243 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Abuse reporting and other provisions

AI-generated

(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.

Allows reports of suspected child abuse or neglect to include the reporter's name, subjects malicious reports to civil and criminal penalties, exposes mandatory reporters to civil liability for failing to report, and authorizes the joint legislative historical committee to accept portraits of four former legislative leaders.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 20, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Provides that reports of suspected abuse and neglect may include the name of the person making the report and that a person who makes a false report maliciously or with the intent to cause harm shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. II. Creates a private right of action for civil damages against a person who makes a false report of suspected abuse or neglect. III. Renames the maternal mortality review panel as the maternal mortality review committee, revises its membership, and provides for the committee to be administered by the department of health and human services and facilitated by the New Hampshire perinatal quality collaborative (NHPQC) affiliated with Dartmouth Health. IV. Revises the definition of "pregnancy-related death" by removing the exclusion of accidental or incidental causes.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise, and followed within 48 hours by a report in writing, if so requested, to the department.”
RSA 169-C:30
“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.”
RSA 169-C:31
“Any person harmed by the intentional submission of a false report of abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:31-a may bring a civil action against the responsible party for monetary damages and other appropriate relief.”
RSA 169-C:31-b
“There is established a maternal mortality review [panel] committee to conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary reviews of maternal deaths in New Hampshire for the purpose of identifying factors associated with the deaths and to make recommendations for system changes to improve services for women in the state.”
RSA 132:30

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary

Also: Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Sheila SeidelR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

81 signed in online · 25 wrote testimony

93% support7% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“RE: HB243 - Relative to the Penalty for False Reports of Suspected Abuse and Neglect Made to the Division or Children Youth, and Families.…”
— Gayle Drobat, Amherst · A voice for the victims to traumatized to speaksupports
“On 7/6/2023 I filed a petition for grandparent’s visitation after my daughter withheld visitation.…”
— Stacey Torosian, Derrysupports
“I have personal knowledge of a false report made against a close friend.”
— Loriann Gangi, Haverhillsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate10–6
    Overall
    63% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseDivisionInexpedient to LegislateFailed165–205
    Overall
    45% yea
  • Feb 20, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2049s3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2049s3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2025-2049sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-2589sfailed
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-2487sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Fenton Floor Amendment # 2025-2665sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-2710sadopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-2049s, #2025-2487S, #2025-2665s, and #2025-2710sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Jun 5, 2025HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2049s 2025-2487S 2025-2665s and 2025-2710s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt)adopted
  • Jun 5, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law5:11:00–5:12:181m 18slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing; Executive Session
  • Feb 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floor1:32:58–1:36:594m 1slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — failed, division 165-205; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Apr 3, 2025Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law58:09–59:231m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2049s 2025-2487S 2025-2665s and 2025-2710s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Giasson, Wall, Layon
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floor6:07:31–6:08:391m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2049s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2025-2049s, #2025-2487S, #2025-2665s, and #2025-2710s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-2049s — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 2 P. 12
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 03:00 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Jan 21, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/21/2025 03:00 pm LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 4, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 02/04/2025 (Vote 10-6; RC) HC 12 P. 13
  5. Feb 5, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  6. Feb 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MF DV 165-205 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 25
  7. Feb 20, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 25
  8. Feb 20, 2025HouseReferred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 25
  9. Feb 20, 2025HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/20/2025 HJ 6 P. 29
  10. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7
  11. Apr 3, 2025SenHearing: 04/03/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:50 am; SC 15
  12. May 22, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2049s, 05/22/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 22
  13. May 22, 2025SenHB 243 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/22/2025; SJ 14
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenSpecial Order to 06/05/2025, Without Objection, MA; 05/22/2025 SJ 14
  15. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2049s, 06/05/2025, Vote 3-0; SC 24
  16. Jun 5, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-2049s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  17. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-2589s, AF, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  18. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-2487s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  19. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Fenton Floor Amendment # 2025-2665s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  20. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Perkins Kwoka Floor Amendment # 2025-2710s, AA, VV; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  21. Jun 5, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2025-2049s, #2025-2487S, #2025-2665s, and #2025-2710s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  22. Jun 5, 2025SenWithout Objection, the Clerk is authorized to make technical and administrative corrections which are necessary to reflect the intent of the Senate, MA; 06/05/2025; SJ 15
  23. Jun 5, 2025HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-2049s 2025-2487S 2025-2665s and 2025-2710s and Requests CofC (Rep. Kofalt): MA VV 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  24. Jun 5, 2025HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Giasson, Wall, Layon 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  25. Jun 5, 2025SenSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  26. Jun 18, 2025HouseConference Committee Meeting: 06/18/2025 11:00 am LOB 205-207
  27. Jun 5, 2025SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Ricciardi, Watters; (In Recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  28. Jun 13, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Gorski Replaces Rep. Giasson 06/13/2025 HJ 17 P. 22
  29. Jun 19, 2025HouseConferee Change: Rep. Osborne Replaces Rep. Wall 06/19/2025 HJ 17 P. 25
  30. Jul 8, 2025HouseConference Committee Report: Not Filed HJ 17
  31. Jun 19, 2025SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 16

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.