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SB 77 · 2025 · Senate · Children and Family Law Committee

Psychological evaluations in CHINS cases

AI-generated

providing children in delinquency and children in need of services (CHINS) cases the identical types of psychological evaluations as children in child protection matters.

Requires that children in delinquency and children-in-need-of-services proceedings receive the same types of psychological evaluations as children in child protection matters.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill delineates requirements for psychological evaluations of children placed for evaluation in delinquency and children in need of services proceedings.

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

“Any psychological evaluations, including measures of personality functioning, shall be conducted or supervised by a licensed psychologist with specialized training in the evidence-based treatment of childhood trauma. 86:2 New Section;”
RSA 169-B:19-e
“Any psychological evaluations, including measures of personality functioning, shall be conducted or supervised by a licensed psychologist with specialized training in the evidence-based treatment of childhood trauma. 86:3 Effective Date.”
RSA 169-D:9-e

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Debra AltschillerDPrime
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Zoe ManosD, Rep. Mark PearsonR

Public testimony

15 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

67% support33% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a good bill to help protect children in New Hampshire.”
— Megan Kilar, Candiasupports
“I am NOT in favor... This Bill is Bad News. As an Individual raised by the System my thought's are this Bill gives to much Unchecked Power to DCYF and Psychologists without any oversight. The Child is out of sight and out of mind without oversight from an outside Agency.…”
— PAUL TOFANELLI, Berlinopposes

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 13, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 13, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 8, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass15–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 30, 2025Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law30:36–35:124m 36slocated in the stream transcript
  • Feb 13, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 8, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:16:00–1:19:573m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 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. Jan 14, 2025SenHearing: 01/14/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:15 am; SC 7
  3. Feb 13, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/13/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Feb 13, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/13/2025; SJ 5
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 11 P. 110
  6. Apr 8, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  7. Apr 8, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/08/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  8. Apr 8, 2025House: Ought to Pass 04/08/2025 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 22 P. 7
  9. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 2
  10. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  11. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  12. Jun 10, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/10/2025; Chapter 0086; Effective 08/09/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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