Committee votes to advance bill creating pilot competency-restoration liaison position

The House Judiciary Committee moved into executive session and voted to recommend House Bill 480 Ought to Pass as Amended. The bill, which sponsors described as a pilot program to establish a forensic liaison position to assist courts in restoring competency, was discussed briefly and had been the subject of prior testimony.

Chair William Lynn said the proposal would create a procedure for restoring competency and authorize a pilot program in Merrimack or Strafford County to fund a forensic liaison position. After discussion about quorum and whether absent members had previously raised objections, the committee considered an amendment (202500061H) before proceeding to the main motion.

The committee approved the amendment by unanimous show of hands (11–0) and then voted the main motion, OTPA on House Bill 480 as amended. The roll-call tally recorded by the clerk was 10 yeas and 1 nay. Representative Andrews voiced a procedural objection about moving bills in executive session with many members absent, and announced he would file a minority report; the committee chair noted the bill would likely go to Finance and therefore would not be placed on consent.

Chair Lynn said he would prepare the committee report. No implementation details were established at the hearing; the committee noted the Disabilities Rights Center had submitted an email expressing concern the group had not been included in consultation, and members discussed how the subcommittee that drafted the bill had solicited input from stakeholders.