Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 161 · 2025 · Senate · Children and Family Law Committee

Out-of-state child placement licensing rules

AI-generated

(New Title) making technical corrections to statutes governing out-of-state placements for children.

Requires out-of-state placements for children to be licensed under the laws of the state in which they operate and certified by the department of health and human services, replacing prior contract-based terminology.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 18, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill replaces references to placements for children "contracted" with the department of health and human services with placements "certified" by the department; and provides that in-state placements may include placements in New England deemed necessary and appropriate by the court. The bill is a request of the department of health and human services.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Regina BirdsellRPrimeMajority Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate

Also: Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

5 signed in online · 1 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Office of the Child Advocate supports SB161 making technical corrections to statutes governing out-of-state placements for children, as amended by the Senate, to rectify some minor drafting errors on SB417 last session.”
— Lissa Mascio, Concord · NH Office of the Child Advocatesupports

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2025-02-209:30 amSenate Children and Family LawLOB 101Public hearing
  • 2025-04-0810:00 amHouse Children and Family LawLOB 206-208Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 3
  2. Feb 20, 2025SenHearing: 02/20/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 10
  3. Mar 6, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0539s, 03/06/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-0539s, AA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Mar 6, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-0539s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  6. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 11 P. 111
  7. Apr 8, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  8. Apr 8, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  9. Apr 8, 2025House: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1539h 04/08/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 22 P. 7
  10. May 1, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-1539h: AA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 2
  11. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1539h: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 2
  12. May 8, 2025SenSen. Abbas Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/08/2025; SJ 12
  13. Jun 5, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/05/2025 HJ 16 P. 167
  14. Jun 5, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/05/2025); SJ 16
  15. Jun 17, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/17/2025; Chapter 0099; Effective 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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