Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 142 · 2026 · Senate · Judiciary Committee

New children's services department

AI-generated

establishing the department of children's services and juvenile justice.

Establishes the department of children's services and juvenile justice and transfers the powers and duties of the division for children, youth and families from the department of health and human services to the new department.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill establishes the department of children's services and juvenile justice and transfers the powers and duties of the department of health and human services, division for children youth and families to the new department.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“"Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of children's services and juvenile justice.”
RSA 21-W:2
“There is hereby established the department of children's services and juvenile justice, an agency of the state, under the executive direction of a commissioner of the department of children's services and juvenile justice.”
RSA 21-W:3
“The commissioner of the department of children's services and juvenile justice shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the council, and shall serve a term of 4 years.”
RSA 21-W:4
“In addition to the powers, duties, and functions otherwise vested by law, the commissioner of the department of children's services and juvenile justice shall:”
RSA 21-W:5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Sharon CarsonRPrimePresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Education
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Public testimony

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingSenate Judiciary6:12–17:1811m 6slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — 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 Judiciary; SJ 3
  2. Feb 18, 2025SenHearing: 02/18/2025, Room 100, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 10
  3. Mar 6, 2025SenCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 03/06/2025, Vote 3-0, CC SC 11
  4. Mar 6, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 03/06/2025; SJ 6
  5. Jan 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 46
  6. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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