2001 SESSION

01-0324

05/10

HOUSE BILL 144

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the CHINS process.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

01-0324

05/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand One

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

7:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the CHINS process under RSA 169-D.

7:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house.

(b) Three members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

III. The committee shall solicit information from a variety of individuals and organizations involved with children in need of services, such as the division of children, youth, and families, Child and Family Services, Casey Family Services, school districts, area agencies, local mental health centers, parent organizations such as NAMI and PIC, public defenders, guardians ad litem, and law enforcement.

7:3 Duties. The committee shall review the process for filing a CHINS petition, the standard for determining that a child is in need of services under RSA 169-D, the scope of services available under RSA 169-D, and the adequacy of alternative support programs available outside the juvenile court system.

7:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

7:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2001.

7:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: April 23, 2001)

(Effective Date: April 23, 2001)