HB 1565 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee
Abuse report penalties and school aid
AI-generated(New Title) relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families, relative to owner's project manager services for school building aid projects, and relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor.
Establishes a misdemeanor penalty and private civil action for maliciously false reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, requires schools to engage an owner's project manager when applying for school building aid, and establishes provisional Medicaid nursing facility eligibility with an appropriation for the long-term care application process.AI-generated
Status
Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · July 20, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- Governor
- Law
Governor's veto message
“I agree with the goal of this legislation to hold accountable individuals who knowingly make false reports of child abuse. Based on consultation with the Attorney General, it appears that this bill has technical flaws and could have unintended consequences that undermine our ability to protect children. For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill 1565.”
A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.
Analysis
This bill provides that reports of suspected abuse and neglect may include the name of the person making the report and that a person who makes a false report maliciously or with the intent to cause harm shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The bill also creates a private right of action for civil damages against a person who makes a false report of suspected abuse or neglect.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.
“A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she knowingly provides false information or causes another to provide false information of suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by RSA 169-C:3 to the department or to any professional mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse identified in RSA 169-C:29.”
This creates the misdemeanor offense for knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect.AI-generated
“Any person harmed by the intentional submission of a false report of abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:31-a may bring a civil action against the responsible party for monetary damages and other appropriate relief.”
This establishes a private right of action for civil damages against those who file intentional false reports.AI-generated
“A school district or chartered public school that [accepts] applies for school building aid for construction shall have [engage] engaged the services of an owner's project manager for construction or reconstruction/renovation projects of [$1,250,000] $1,500,000 or more, unless the commissioner waives such requirement as unnecessary.”
This moves the owner's project manager requirement to the application stage and raises the cost threshold from $1,250,000 to $1,500,000.AI-generated
“within 90 calendar days of the receipt of a long-term care medical assistance application by the department of health and human services, the department shall grant provisional eligibility on his or her application for Medicaid nursing facility services if the facility agrees through contract to comply with the terms of the contract and the provisions of this chapter.”
This requires the state to grant provisional Medicaid nursing facility eligibility within 90 days when a contracting facility agrees to the terms.AI-generated
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Brian ColeRVice Chair· Housing
- Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
- Rep. Keith AmmonRMajority Floor Leader
- Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
- Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
Also: Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Donald McFarlaneR, Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Jonathan MortonR
Public testimony
31 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony
35% support65% oppose0% neutral
ForAccountability for filing false reports is overdue
AgainstDisproportionate harm to women in shared custody with abusers
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“Plain and simple.....This bill is long overdue. Individuals need to be held accountable for filing false reports”
“There are many well documented instances of false allegations to DCYF being used to harm individuals. The motivations are many, personal animus, leverage in divorce, and political retribution to name a few.…”
“As promised during today's hearing, I have submitted my full testimony (below) as well as a brief explanation of my personal story. Thank you for your consideration. Testimony: NH HB1565 (2026) - Testimony Thank you, Madame Chair and Honorable Committee members.…”
“I strongly oppose HB1565 relative to the false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth and families. This bill will cause a chilling effect on reporting child abuse.…”
“Isn’t it already illegal to file false reports with law enforcement and on court forms?”
“This bill will harm women in a shared custody with a former abusive spouse. Vehmently opposed”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings and debates
- Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:35:11–4:01:4226m 31s
- Mar 3, 2026Executive sessionHouse Children and Family Law2:03:24–2:13:4410m 20s
- Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor34:08–51:3017m 22sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
- Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law21:37–33:1511m 38s
- May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floor8:54:07–8:57:123m 5s
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Votes
yeanay- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–7Overall56% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted181–141Overall56% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionReconsider 18-311 (Rep. H. Howard)failed
- Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–0Overall100% yea
- May 14, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–0Overall100% yea
- Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
- May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1972s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone)adoptedResulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
- May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
- Overall56% yea
- Jun 4, 2026HouseVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2192eadopted
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 26
- Feb 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/24/2026 01:30 pm GP 230
- Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 30
- Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 181-141 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 65
- Mar 11, 2026HouseReconsider 18-311 (Rep. H. Howard): MF DV 031126 [&] HJ 7 P. 66
- Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7
- Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:50 am; SC 12
- Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 14
- Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1565 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
- May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
- May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-0; SC 18
- May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1972s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1972s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
- May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1972s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
- May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Spillane, Markell, Korzen 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
- May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Abbas, Rochefort, Long; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 10:30 am GP 231
- Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2058c; 06/04/2026
- Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2058c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
- Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2058c: Adopted, DV 198-154 06/04/2026 HJ 15
- Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2192e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
- Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2192e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
- Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
- Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
- Jul 15, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 07/15/2026
Coverage
- Governor vetoes bill to criminalize those who deliberately file false child abuse reportUnion Leader · Jul 21, 2026
The article reports Gov. Ayotte's veto of HB 1565, which would have created a misdemeanor penalty for knowingly filing a false report of child abuse or neglect.AI-generated
- Senate passes bill to penalize false child abuse reportsValley News · May 20, 2026
The article reports the Senate's approval of HB 1565, which would impose misdemeanor penalties and allow civil suits over knowingly false child abuse reports.AI-generated
- Opinion: House Bill 1565 must be vetoed by AyotteConcord Monitor · May 30, 2026
This op-ed argues against HB 1565, contending its penalties for false child abuse reports could deter legitimate reporting.AI-generated
- Lawmakers approve bill to punish false reports of child abuseNew Hampshire Bulletin
The brief reports legislative approval of HB 1565, which would penalize knowingly false reports of child abuse or neglect.AI-generated
- NH House approves bill imposing punishments for false reports of child abuse or neglectNew Hampshire Bulletin
The brief covers the House's passage of HB 1565 imposing penalties for knowingly false child abuse or neglect reports.AI-generated
- HB 1565 (2026) | NH LegislationCitizens Count
HB 1565 would establish a misdemeanor penalty and civil action for knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect.AI-generated
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law Library — A research guide summarizing New Hampshire's mandatory-reporting duty and DCYF child-protection process.AI-generated
- KNOW & TELLNH context
Child Advocacy Center of New Hampshire — A New Hampshire program explaining how adults recognize and report suspected child abuse.AI-generated
Psychiatric Times — Argues that fabricated abuse claims can be used as leverage in custody disputes and harm those accused.AI-generated
Children's Rights — Contends that broad reporting mandates and penalties drive over-reporting that can harm families.AI-generated
- Mandatory Reporting Was Supposed to Stop Severe Child Abuse. It Punishes Poor Families Instead.Investigative
ProPublica — Reports on how expanded reporting requirements and penalties flood hotlines and affect low-income families.AI-generated
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law — Discusses the good-faith immunity that shields reporters and the concern that penalties could deter reporting.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Senateversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Amendment 2026-1972samendment
- Amendment 2026-2058CofCamendment
- Amendment 2026-2192EBAamendment
- Governor's veto statementveto
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.