The bill under consideration aims to restrict the simultaneous employment of individuals within the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically those working in the Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), with licensed adoption or child placement agencies. The new legal language inserted into RSA 126-A:4 as paragraph VIII explicitly prohibits such dual employment. However, it does allow DCYF employees to serve as foster parents, provided they were not involved in the removal and placement process of the children they foster.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that there is no direct impact on state revenue, but there are anticipated expenditures ranging from $131,223 to $160,478 in FY 2025, increasing to between $351,421 and $400,848 by FY 2027. These costs are associated with the expected reduction in the number of available foster homes due to the prohibition, which may necessitate alternative arrangements such as hotel stays and residential placements for affected children. The Department of Health and Human Services also foresees potential litigation costs arising from the bill's restrictions on foster parent eligibility based on employment status. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, and it is assumed that the costs will be covered by a combination of state general funds and federal matching funds.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 126-A:4
As Amended by the House: 126-A:4