New Hampshire Senate Bill SB1

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/23
• Refer: 1/4/23
• Report Pass: 1/17/23
• Report Pass: 1/24/23
• Report Pass: 2/9/23
• Enrolled: 2/14/23
• Chaptered: 2/16/23
• Passed: 2/16/23
• Engrossed: 4/19/23
• Refer: 4/19/23

Caption

Relative to the closing of the Sununu youth services center, making appropriations thereof, and establishing a commission to study community impacts of the secured youth development center.

Impact

The bill delays the closure of the existing SYSC until the new facility is operational, which must happen by November 1, 2024. It includes a substantial appropriation of $15 million for the design and construction, with the majority of funding anticipated to come from federal sources such as the American Rescue Plan Act. This financial commitment reflects a significant shift in how juvenile care is funded and procured, with the intent to modernize treatment facilities and methods.

Summary

SB1 aims to address the future of the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) through the construction of a new secured treatment facility for juveniles. This legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to design and build a facility with a maximum capacity of 18 beds, though it is intended to operate with an average of 12 residents. The bill emphasizes a shift toward community-based treatment rather than reliance on punitive detention, aligning with national standards that advocate for minimizing incarceration of youth who are not serious offenders.

Contention

Notably, the bill prohibits administration of the new facility by any non-governmental entity, intending to maintain state control over juvenile services. While proponents argue this will ensure a better-quality environment tailored to therapeutic and trauma-informed practices, critics could raise concerns regarding capacity limitations and the feasibility of the projected timelines. The construction process also faces skepticism due to doubts about project completion within the stated deadlines amidst potential construction delays.