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Municipalities, DHHS and harm‑reduction groups clash over MOUs to prevent 'dumping' of unhoused people
Summary
SB 441 would require memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for municipalities that transport people for shelter, housing or substance‑use disorder treatment. Sponsors say MOUs would prevent residents being "dumped" in receiving cities; municipal associations, DHHS and harm‑reduction groups warned the bill's placement in RSA 1‑65, added opioid‑abatement language and DHHS enforcement obligations create confusion, fiscal burdens and risks to access.
Sen. Victoria Sullivan opened a lengthy public hearing on SB 441 FN by describing incidents in Manchester where people were allegedly transported and left at shelters or in public without notification or coordination. Sullivan said the bill would require municipalities that transport individuals for shelter or substance use disorder treatment to have memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with receiving municipalities so there is advance coordination and shared expectations, and to deter what sponsors described as demeaning and unsafe practice.
The hearing became the most contested and time‑consuming portion of the day. Municipal leaders and associations argued MOUs can and do exist today and opposed housing the language in RSA 1‑65 (the local welfare statute), saying that placement…
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