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HB 1779 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Cultural background in foster placements

AI-generated

supporting the cultural background of children placed in foster care.

Requires the department of health and human services to consider a child's cultural background when making foster care placements and to develop resources supporting foster children's cultural heritage.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires the department of health and human services to take a child's cultural background into consideration when making foster care placements and to develop resources to support foster children's cultural background and heritage.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mary GeorgesDPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Peter PetrignoDRanking Member· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDSenior Democratic Advisor

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Mark PearsonR, Rep. Jay MarkellR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

16 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

88% support6% oppose6% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Honoring cultural background supports stability, identity, and long-term outcomes for children in foster care.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“Dont you just love making foster parenting as punishing as possible by laying multiple burdens on volunteers? Get ready for large exodus of minority children foster parents.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-0310:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing
  • 2026-02-1010:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Feb 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/03/2026 02:00 pm GP 230
  3. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 02/10/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 9 P. 4
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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