New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

New Hampshire Senate Bill SB43

Introduced
1/11/23  
Refer
1/11/23  
Report Pass
1/17/23  
Engrossed
3/20/23  
Refer
3/20/23  
Report Pass
4/5/23  
Enrolled
5/23/23  
Chaptered
6/2/23  

Caption

Relative to a needs assessment for juvenile minors who are residents of New Hampshire.

Impact

This bill is expected to enhance the welfare of juveniles by embedding a systematic approach to assessing their needs within the juvenile justice framework. By enacting these assessments prior to any court-related actions, it emphasizes a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach towards juvenile offenders. The hope is that such assessments will result in better-tailored services and decisions that would ultimately aid in diverting minors from further delinquency and facilitating their reintegration into society.

Summary

Senate Bill 43 aims to refine the process of needs assessments for juvenile minors residing in New Hampshire, stipulating that these assessments are conducted as part of the juvenile justice system before any court proceedings are initiated. Specifically, it mandates that if an arresting agency plans to initiate proceedings against a resident minor, they must refer the minor for a voluntary needs assessment to the Department of Health and Human Services within two business days following the arrest. By clarifying this provision, the bill intends to ensure that minors receive timely evaluations of their needs, which can be crucial in determining appropriate interventions or support mechanisms.

Contention

The discussion around SB 43 may involve potential contention regarding its practical implementation. Concerns could be raised over the availability and adequacy of resources within the Department of Health and Human Services to efficiently conduct these assessments promptly. Moreover, while the intent to provide minors with necessary assessments is widely supported, there may be differing opinions on the extent to which such measures effectively contribute to reducing juvenile delinquency rates and whether they might inadvertently delay necessary legal proceedings.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NH SB506

Relative to aligning statutes with the age of a delinquent established under the juvenile delinquency statute.

NH HB1465

Relative to the appointment of counsel for juveniles.

NH HB1568

Raising the age of juvenile delinquency from 18 to 21.

NH HB455

Relative to creating a new state cause of action and special findings for abused, neglected, and abandoned children seeking special immigrant juvenile status under federal law.

NH HB455

Relative to creating a new state cause of action and special findings for abused, neglected, and abandoned children seeking special immigrant juvenile status under federal law.

NH SB340

Relative to the direct to consumer shipment of alcohol to New Hampshire residents.

NH HB254

Relative to the placement of minors in secure settings.

NH HB560

Relative to parental access to a minor child's medical records, relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated, defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshires logging industry.

NH SB559

Relative to the New Hampshire vaccine association.

NH HB657

Relative to short-notice booking access for New Hampshire residents to state parks.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.