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Sen. Sharon Carson asks committee to re-refer bill creating separate children's services department
Summary
Senator Sharon Carson asked the Senate Judiciary Committee on the record to re-refer Senate Bill 142, which would create a separate Department of Children’s Services and Juvenile Justice by moving the DHHS divisions that handle children, youth and families to the new agency.
Senator Sharon Carson introduced Senate Bill 142, asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to re-refer the measure so she can continue negotiations over cost and operational details. "This is a bill that I have put in before and something that is extremely important to me," Carson said, asking for more time to work with state officials.
Carson said SB 142 would establish a Department of Children’s Services and Juvenile Justice and transfer the duties of the DHHS divisions for children, youth and families into the new department. She told the committee she has been meeting with Department of Health and Human Services staff and wants to continue those discussions to reduce start-up costs.
Patricia Tilley, testifying for the Department of Health and Human Services, said the department had "a number of concerns about senate 142 as introduced," but that DHHS is "very supportive of the opportunity to work with the sponsor and other interested policymakers and advocates to take a more measured approach." Tilley said DHHS plans to use its strategic priorities and an upcoming assessment of the children's system of care to guide further work.
Representatives of mental-health and advocacy organizations also told the committee they share concerns about cost and transition logistics but welcomed continued collaboration. Holly Stevens of NAMI New Hampshire said separating youth and adult services ‘‘would make that transition even more difficult’’ and reiterated cost concerns. Tracy Fowler of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation said the foundation opposed the bill as introduced and urged that money needed to stand up a new department might be better spent strengthening existing community services.
After the hearing, the committee voted to re-refer SB 142 back to committee at the sponsor’s request. The motion to re-refer passed on a voice vote with the chair announcing, "Ayes have it." A formal committee discussion of a refiled or amended measure was the sponsor’s stated aim.
Committee next steps: Senator Carson is to continue discussions with DHHS and stakeholders; the bill will return to committee for further drafting and cost analysis.
