The bill SB 591-FN-A amends RSA 21-M:11-a, which governs the Youth Development Center (YDC) Claims Administration and Settlement Fund, by refining the definitions of abuse and the claims process for former YDC residents. Key changes include replacing the term "physical abuse" with "other abuse," adding a definition for "egregious sexual abuse," and expanding the definition of "other abuse" to encompass unlawful restraint, unlawful strip search, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The bill also adjusts the fund's administration, extending its nonlapsing status until June 30, 2032, and establishing a youth development center claims administrator role appointed by the supreme court. Settlement amounts are determined by a process with maximum caps set for different types of abuse, with the bill inserting new language to guide the valuation of claims and increasing the cap for other abuse claims from $150,000 to $250,000.

The bill outlines a structured process for filing and resolving claims, including timelines for submission, acknowledgment, and completion of claims, as well as the roles of the administrator and the Attorney General's designee. It extends the deadline for filing claims to June 30, 2025, and emphasizes the confidentiality and voluntary nature of the claims process. The bill also details the involvement of a fact facilitator for investigations, the conduct of live resolution proceedings, and the finality of the administrator's decisions. Additionally, it specifies payment procedures from the YDC settlement fund, including the option for lump sum or installment payments, and introduces a cap of $75,000,000 in claims paid out per fiscal year. The bill includes provisions for attorney's fees, quarterly reporting requirements, and an appropriation of $60,000,000 to the YDC settlement fund, with the act taking effect on June 14, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-M:11-a
As Amended by the Senate: 21-M:11-a
As Amended by the House: 21-M:11-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 21-M:11-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 21-M:11-a