The bill SB 142-FN establishes the Department of Children's Services and Juvenile Justice (DCSJJ) in New Hampshire, transferring various functions, powers, and duties from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), specifically from the Division for Children, Youth and Families and the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health. This transition includes the transfer of all related personnel, records, property, programs, operations, and funds, with the aim of providing a unified administration of services for children and youth, including child protection, foster care, juvenile justice, and behavioral health services. The bill also introduces new legal language defining terms such as "near fatality" and outlines the conditions under which information about child abuse cases can be disclosed, while abolishing the previous divisions and ensuring continuity in existing rules and regulations under the new department's authority.

Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a Governor’s Commission on Children’s Services to enhance collaboration among state agencies and improve outcomes for youth and families. It includes significant amendments to existing laws, replacing references to the DHHS with the DCSJJ, and specifies the responsibilities of the new department regarding child welfare services. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and anticipates significant expenditures exceeding $11 million in the first year of implementation, while also highlighting potential challenges related to the transition, such as the need for a new Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan and increased operational costs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-V:2, 126-A:39, 161:2, 170-H:1, 28-B:3, 126-A:5, 186-C:14, 187-A:20-b, 490-C:2, 597:2, 6:12-c, 621-A:11, 651-E:2, 47:11-b, 170-G:4