Bill > HB553

This bill proposes significant modifications to New Hampshire's child abuse and neglect laws, expanding and refining definitions and provisions to provide more comprehensive protection for children's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. The bill broadens the definition of abuse and neglect to include a wider range of harmful behaviors, such as psychological maltreatment, exposure to substances, and traumatic experiences. It emphasizes a trauma-informed approach, prioritizing the child's best interests while also protecting the rights of parents and guardians. Key changes include adding more nuanced definitions of abuse and neglect that consider emotional and psychological harm, creating a rebuttable presumption of harm in cases involving substance misuse, domestic violence, and serious injuries, and establishing a preference for keeping children in their home or community when possible. The bill also introduces new provisions about child placement, prioritizing placement with kin or in foster homes, and mandates frequent reviews of out-of-home placements with the goal of quickly returning children to their homes. Additionally, the legislation aims to provide trauma-informed services and protect children from various forms of harm, including sexual abuse, human trafficking, and psychological maltreatment.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0768&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB553