This bill amends the existing law under RSA chapter 165 regarding the liability of relatives to support poor persons. The key change is the modification of the language concerning the responsibility of relatives, replacing gender-specific terms with gender-neutral terms, such as changing "his" to "their." Additionally, the bill removes the previous requirement that relatives who refuse to provide aid could face court summons and potential imprisonment for contempt. Instead, it establishes that if a poor person has no relatives capable of providing support, the town or city where they reside will be responsible for their assistance.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that ensure aid to eligible individuals cannot be withheld due to a legally liable relative's failure to respond or provide assistance. It allows towns or cities that provide aid to seek reimbursement from relatives who have the means to do so without financial hardship. The fiscal impact of this bill is expected to be minimal, as the requirement for familial support is rarely enforced, and the Department of Health and Human Services does not anticipate any significant changes to state revenues or expenditures as a result of this legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 165:19
As Amended by the House: 165:19