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HB 430 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Shorter retention for unfounded abuse reports

AI-generated

reducing the retention period for records of unfounded abuse and neglect reports by the department of health and human services.

Reduces the retention period for records of unfounded child abuse and neglect reports maintained by the department of health and human services from 10 years to 3 years.AI-generated

Status

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

Analysis

This bill reduces the retention period for records of unfounded abuse and neglect reports by the department of health and human services from 10 years to 3 years.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“The department shall retain a screened-out report for 4 years from the date that the report was screened out.”
RSA 169-C:35-a
“The department shall delete or destroy all electronic and paper records of the reports when the retention period for the most recent report expires.”
RSA 169-C:35-a
“The department shall retain an unfounded report for [10] 3 years from the date that the department determined the case to be unfounded.”
RSA 169-C:35-a
“The department shall delete or destroy all electronic and paper records of the reports when the most recent report expires.”
RSA 169-C:35-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. James SpillaneRPrimeChair· Fish and Game and Marine Resources
  • Rep. Susan DeLemusRClerk· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair, Majority Policy Conference

Also: Rep. Joseph BartonR, Rep. Travis CorcoranR, Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Jack FlanaganR

Public testimony

37 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

41% support54% oppose5% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Grandparents who have been loving and supportive for the grandchildren’s entire lives should be able to see them and spend time with them whenever they please.”
— Kristin Kelleher, Derrysupports
“I urge you to SUPPORT HB430. This bill will reduce the retention period for records of unfounded abuse and neglect reports, as these records are unfounded and should not be retained for 10 years. This bill will change the retention rate from 10 years to 3 years.…”
— James Gardner, Keenesupports
“These records absolutely should be retained just in case. If several reports come in and then they eventually find that the claims were substantiated, the past reports should be on file.”
— Heather Fritchy, DERRYopposes
“I write to you as a resident of the town of Bow, but also as a former teacher and current school psychologist.…”
— Kristina Styren, Bowopposes
“I am neutral on this Bill as I do not understand the impetus for the change. Has the need for 10 years simply not materialized? If so, seems the time period could be shortened. I'd think the statistics of past reporting can clearly show the need for a change?!?…”
— Gordon Springate, Wiltonneutral

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
  • Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law14:29–15:381m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:40:06–1:44:424m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 3 P. 9
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 4, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  5. Mar 20, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/20/2025 HJ 9 P. 5

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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