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HB 661 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Managing foster children's federal benefits

AI-generated

relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care.

Establishes requirements for the department of health and human services to manage federal benefits for children in foster care, provides for appointment of a representative payee, directs establishment of ABLE accounts, and phases in the percentage of benefits conserved beginning July 1, 2028.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 16, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Establishes requirements for the management of federal benefits received by dependent children in the custody of the department of health and human services. II. Provides for the appointment of a representative payee, which may be the department if no other suitable candidate is available. III. Directs the department to adopt procedures regarding the establishment of ABLE accounts for dependent children for whom the department is the representative payee and authorizes the department to request additional funds from the fiscal committee for this purpose. IV. Establishes a phase-in schedule for the percentage of benefits conserved on behalf of the child beginning July 1, 2028.

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

“For all children in the care of the department, the department shall determine whether each child is receiving benefits administered by the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration within 60 days after the child enters the department's care.”
RSA 126-A:6-a
“If the department determines that a child is not receiving benefits but may be eligible for federal benefits, the department shall apply for the benefits on behalf of the child.”
RSA 126-A:6-a
“If a child is already receiving benefits before entering the department's care with an appointed representative payee in place, the department shall not seek to change the payee appointment unless the current payee has been deemed unsuitable or other circumstances warranting a payee change are met in accordance with the federal regulations for naming a successor payee.”
RSA 126-A:6-a
“If there is no payee or if the department applies for benefits on behalf of the child, the department shall identify, in consultation with the child and the child's representative, a representative payee in accordance with 20 C.F.R. sections 404.2021 and 416.621 and encourage the identified individual to apply to the Social Security Administration to be appointed as the child's representative payee.”
RSA 126-A:6-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mary Jane WallnerDPrimeRanking Member· Finance
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Maureen MooneyR, Sen. Pat LongD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Oct 30, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Refer for Interim Study14–11
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Jan 8, 2026HouseVoice voteRecommit (Rep. Seaworth)adopted
  • Feb 20, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0821h13–12
    Overall
    52% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionAmendment 2026-0821hAdopted321–4
    Overall
    99% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0821hAdopted309–19
    Overall
    94% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1425sadopted
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s7–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1854sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1854s and 2026-1425s and Requests CofC (Reps. Weyler, DeSimone)adopted
    Resulting text: Bill as adopted by both chambers
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteConference committee report 2026-2061cadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171eadopted
  • Jun 4, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:17:01–3:23:116m 10slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:44:59–1:51:096m 10slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floor15:24–16:0036slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 17, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III1:00:16–1:02:352m 19slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance3:34:47–3:38:463m 59slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Sep 29, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III2:45:33–2:49:534m 20slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Oct 30, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance2:41:32–2:42:411m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study — roll call; Executive Session
  • Jan 8, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:06:22–1:07:361m 14slocated in the stream transcriptRecommit (Rep. Seaworth) — adopted, voice vote
  • Feb 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III33:23–34:511m 28slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Feb 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III3:12:19–3:20:388m 19slocated in the stream transcriptDivision III Work Session
  • Feb 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance3:20–10:227m 2slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0821h — roll call; ==CANCELLED== Division III Work Session; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor7:26:56–7:28:011m 5slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0821h — adopted, division 309-19; Amendment # 2026-0821h — adopted, division 321-4
  • Mar 25, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services15:48–33:0017m 12slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1425s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1854s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1854s and 2026-1425s and Requests CofC (Reps. Weyler, DeSimone) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Rice, Nelson, Mooney
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2061c; Conference Committee Report # 2026-2061c, Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:27:40–1:28:3959slocated in the stream transcriptConference Committee Report 2026-2061c: Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

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. 21
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 01:00 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 4, 2025House: Ought to Pass 03/04/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 3
  6. Mar 13, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 3
  7. Mar 17, 2025HouseDivision III Work Session: 03/17/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  8. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  9. Apr 2, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  10. Sep 29, 2025HouseDivision III Work Session: 09/29/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  11. Oct 30, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/30/2025 10:00 am GP 230
  12. Oct 30, 2025HouseMajority : Refer for Interim Study 10/30/2025 (Vote 14-11; RC) HC 51 P. 36
  13. Nov 7, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-3055h
  14. Jan 8, 2026HouseRecommit (Rep. Seaworth): MA VV 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 10
  15. Feb 9, 2026HouseDivision III Work Session: 02/09/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  16. Feb 13, 2026HouseDivision III Work Session: 02/13/2026 09:00 am GP 230
  17. Feb 20, 2026House==CANCELLED== Division III Work Session: 02/20/2026 09:00 am GP 234
  18. Feb 20, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/20/2026 02:30 pm GP 230
  19. Feb 20, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0821h 02/20/2026 (Vote 13-12; RC) HC 10 P. 46
  20. Mar 3, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study
  21. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0821h: AA DV 321-4 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 171
  22. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0821h: MA DV 309-19 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 172
  23. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  24. Mar 25, 2026SenHearing: 03/25/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:00 am; SC 11
  25. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
  26. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1425s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  27. Apr 16, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  28. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18
  29. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1854s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  30. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  31. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1854s and 2026-1425s and Requests CofC (Reps. Weyler, DeSimone): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  32. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Rice, Nelson, Mooney 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  33. May 14, 2026SenSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  34. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Lang, Rosenwald; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  35. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:00 am GP 231
  36. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2061c; 06/04/2026
  37. Jun 4, 2026SenConference Committee Report # 2026-2061c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
  38. Jun 4, 2026HouseConference Committee Report 2026-2061c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  39. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  40. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  41. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
  42. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026
  43. Jul 10, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 287; eff. I. Sec 1 eff 7/1/2027 II. Sec 2 eff 1/1/2028 III. Sec 3 eff 7/10/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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