Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Omnibus Child Protection Amendment
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Amendment #2020-1324s to HB 1162. The amendment, sponsored by Committee Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover), creates an omnibus child protection bill.
After the committee vote, Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) issued the following statement:
“We often talk about the public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus in New Hampshire. However, one of the most pressing issues we will face as a state is the protection and welfare of our children,” Senator Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover) stated. “For children living in abusive homes, the closure of our schools and after school programs meant their privacy and ability to disclose abuse was limited if not completely eliminated. As a Legislature, it is our duty to do everything in our power to protect our children As the state begins to reopen, we need to be prepared to protect our children and advocate for the resources they need to be safe and successful. This includes clarifying our provisions on adoption, the authority of the Office of the Child Advocate, and putting critical health and safety programs in place for children exposed to substance use disorder, neglect, and abuse.”
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