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HB 553 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Redefining child abuse and neglect standards

AI-generated

relative to the definition of abuse and neglect and conditions triggering a rebuttable presumption of harm in abuse and neglect cases.

Revises the purpose statement and definitions governing child abuse and neglect proceedings, emphasizing family unity, least restrictive placement, and trauma-informed care while adjusting rebuttable presumption standards.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the House · March 26, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill makes modifications to the purpose statement, definitions, and terms of rebuttable presumption for abuse and neglect.

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 best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration of the court in all proceedings under this chapter.”
RSA 169-C:2
“There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a child's [health] emotional, physical, psychological, or mental well-being has suffered or is likely to suffer serious impairment by exposure to any of the following conduct:”
RSA 169-C:12-f
“Each child coming within the provisions of this chapter shall receive, preferably in the child's own home or the community, the care, emotional security, guidance, and control that will promote the child's best interest[; and, if].”
RSA 169-C:2
“If the child should be removed from the control of his or her parents, guardian, or custodian, adequate care shall be secured for the child, preferably in the community.”
RSA 169-C:2

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alicia GreggDPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Gaby GrossmanDDeputy Ranking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Charles McMahonR, Rep. Heather RaymondD, Rep. Mark PearsonR, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

190 signed in online · 65 wrote testimony

8% support92% oppose0% neutral

ForModernizes definitions to recognize emotional and psychological trauma

AgainstBypasses due process by not requiring a conviction

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“As a long-time pediatric emergency medicine physician and now director for the Dartmouth Hitchcock child protection program, I am writing in support of HB553. The proposed definitions of child abuse and neglect utilize updated language that is consistent with a trauma-informed and multi-disciplinary perspective on these often challenging cases.…”
— Amy Roy, Lebanon · Dartmouth Hitchcock, Elliot Hospitalsupports
“I support this bill for the children of NH and I strongly urge our legislators to vote in favor.”
— Angelique Sawyer, Conwaysupports
“I really appreciate the sentiment and action of this bill. The modernized language of abuse and neglect--moving from how the child is acted upon to the actions of the parent--is extremely welcome.…”
— Andrew Horn, Amherstsupports
“The language of the bill looks good on the surface. I'm going to tell what is happening NOW in abuse and neglect cases. First, you have limited time to get a case to trial because of federal law.…”
— Paula Werme, Milfordopposes
“I oppose the state being able to proceed with parental fitness tests without a conviction, bypassing due process and not requiring a legal finding of guilt.…”
— Raelene Ouellette, Seabrookopposes
“Bureaucrats and elected officials can have an agenda versus reality. They lack knowledge and cannot love. Let a jury of their peers decide the state of a parent not Bureaucrats.”
— Michael Williamson, Sharonopposes

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 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1079h10–4
    Overall
    71% yea
  • Mar 26, 2025HouseDivisionLay HB553 on Table (Rep. M. Pearson)Adopted342–1
    Overall
    100% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law4:49:03–4:50:131m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 10, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:34–11:317m 57slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family LawWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamSubcommittee Work Session
  • Mar 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Lawfrom 3:41:00located in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1079h — roll call; ==CANCELLED== Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2025Floor debateHouse floor6:01:06–6:06:255m 19slocated in the stream transcriptLay HB553 on Table (Rep. M. Pearson) — adopted, division 342-1
  • Dec 17, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamDied on Table, Session ended

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. 15
  2. Jan 28, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2025 01:30 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 10, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 02/10/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 17, 2025House==CANCELLED== Subcommittee Work Session: 02/17/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  5. Feb 18, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/18/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  6. Mar 3, 2025HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 03/03/2025 11:00 am LOB 201
  7. Mar 4, 2025House==RECESSED== Executive Session: 03/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  8. Mar 18, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 03/18/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  9. Mar 18, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1079h 03/18/2025 (Vote 10-4; RC) HC 17 P. 46
  10. Mar 19, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  11. Mar 26, 2025HouseLay HB553 on Table (Rep. M. Pearson): MA DV 342-1 03/26/2025 HJ 10 P. 103
  12. Dec 17, 2025HouseDied on Table, Session ended 12/17/2025 HJ 18

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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