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 requires out-of-state placements for children to be licensed in accordance with the laws of the state in which they operate and be certified by the department of health and human services. This bill replaces references to placements for children "contracted" with the department of health and human services with placements "certified" by the department.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“There shall be a presumption that an in-state placement is the least restrictive and most appropriate placement.”
RSA 169-C:19-b
“The court may order an out-of-state placement only upon an express written finding that no in-state options exist and that the out-of-state placement offers specialized programming or services that are unable to be provided within New Hampshire, and the placement is [contracted with the state] licensed in accordance with the laws of the state in which they operate, and certified by the department.”
RSA 169-F:5
“The court may order an out-of-state placement only upon an express written finding that no options for in-state placement exist and the out-of-state placement offers specialized programming or services that are unable to be provided within New Hampshire, and the placement is [contracted with the state] licensed in accordance with the laws of the state in which they operate and certified by the department.”
RSA 169-C:19-b
“Preference shall be given to out-of-state placements that are in proximity to the child's family and/or kin, who are able to participate in family and/or reunification services.”
RSA 169-C:19-b

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 20, 2025Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law19:13–21:302m 17slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0539s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0539s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2025-0539s — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law59:07–1:16:2017m 13slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1539h; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-1539h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-1539h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Floor debateSenate floor21:34–22:2551slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Abbas Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 5, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

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

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.