SB 515 · 2026 · Senate · Children and Family Law Committee
Juvenile residential treatment placement rules
AI-generatedrelative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.
Revises juvenile placement statutes for qualified residential treatment programs to align with federal requirements, requiring a qualified assessment within 30 days and court review within 60 days, and allows litigation to proceed when counsel has not yet been secured for a child.AI-generated
Status
Signed into law · June 8, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓Senate
- ✓House
- ✓Governor
- ✓Law
Analysis
This bill revises juvenile statutes relative to placements in qualified residential treatment programs to align with federal requirements. The bill directs the department of health and human services to have a qualified assessment of the child conducted within 30 days of placement and the court to review the assessment and placement within 60 days of placement. This bill further allows litigation to continue if despite a diligent search, counsel has not yet been secured for a child in certain proceedings under the child protection act. The bill is a request of the department of health and human services.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
- Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader
- Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader
- Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
- Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader
- Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Debra AltschillerD
Public testimony
9 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
89% support11% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“My name is Kai Berger, and I am the founder of the Hilde B Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to ending domestic violence through prevention, awareness, and systemic change.…”
“Opposition to SB 515-FN Dear Members of the Committee, I respectfully oppose SB 515-FN on constitutional and structural grounds.…”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings
- 2026-01-1510:00 amSenate Children and Family LawSH 103Public hearing
- 2026-03-2410:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing
- 2026-03-3110:00 amHouse Children and Family LawGP 230Public hearing
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 1
- Jan 15, 2026SenHearing: 01/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 48
- Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0129s, 01/29/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 3
- Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0129s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0129s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 5 P. 124
- Mar 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/24/2026 11:00 am GP 230
- Mar 31, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 31, 2026House: Ought to Pass 03/31/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC)
- Apr 23, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 3
- May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 154
- May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
- Jun 5, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/05/2026; Chapter 126
- Aug 1, 2026SenI. Section 4 Effective 08/01/2026
- Aug 1, 2027SenII. Section 5 Effective 08/01/2027
- Aug 4, 2026SenIII. Remainder Effective 08/04/2026
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- As Amended by the Senateversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Amendment 2026-0115samendment
- Amendment 2026-0129samendment
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.