Committee Summary for House Children and Family Law (04/07/2026)

Member	Member	Member
DeSimone, Debra(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Nelson, Jodi(Clerk)(R)[B]2025	Rice, Kimberly(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025
McMahon, Charles(R)[B+]2025	Love, David(R)[B+]2025	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025
Korzen, Lori(R)[B+]2025	Georges, Mary(D)[D-]2025	Raymond, Heather(D)[CT]2025
Gregg, Alicia(D)[D-]2025	Petrigno, Peter(D)[F]2025	Grossman, Gaby(D)[IN]2025
Levesque, Cassandra (D)[D-]2025	Malone, Amy(D)[D-]2025	Markell, Jay(R)[B]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB456	Public Hearing	establishing the commission for children's futures.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
SB456	Executive Session	establishing the commission for children's futures.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025
Unclear	General Working Session	Unclear

SB456: Support 00:06:42.446 - 10:02:33 AM; Senator Sullivan introduced SB 456, which proposes creating a commission on children's futures to address various issues affecting children's health and well-being in New Hampshire. She highlighted gaps in current oversight, such as higher rates of childhood cancer, gang violence in Manchester, over-diagnosis of ADHD in children, and violence in schools with over 1,100 incidents reported. The commission would compile existing data on topics like mental health, social media impacts, childhood depression, obesity, intergenerational trauma, and school safety to inform policy, legislative, and agency changes. She emphasized breaking silos in services to provide wraparound support for vulnerable children and families, aiming to foster healthy, happy, and successful future generations. During questioning, she addressed integrating the commission with existing oversight bodies, including regular reporting, incorporating executive branch input, and focusing on positive experiences to mitigate trauma.
SB456: Information Only 00:08:42.719 - 10:04:33 AM; Representative Pearson questioned Senator Sullivan on integrating the proposed commission as a subcommittee under DHHS oversight for better coordination and regular reporting into the broader picture, drawing parallels to successful standalone groups that feed into oversight. He expressed agreement on addressing gang violence and its generational impacts, sharing anecdotes from his work with vulnerable populations.
SB456: Information Only 00:11:50.959 - 10:07:41 AM; The Chair commented on emerging laws restricting social media for children and inquired if the commission would address childhood depression, obesity, and social media's role in isolation, alongside daily violence.
SB456: Support 00:14:01.815 - 10:09:52 AM; Representative Georges praised the presentation and asked about services for vulnerable children in the city, emphasizing the need for more voices, including special education, to address violence in streets and schools. He inquired about handling students suspended or facing conduct issues, suggesting wraparound services to connect existing programs and avoid silos.
SB456: Support 00:15:52.230 - 10:11:43 AM; Representative Halpin commended the legislation and asked about sources of information for the commission, noting that much data already exists but is not actively used, such as school violence reports. He stressed the need to bring data to life for productive changes involving stakeholders.
SB456: Support 00:17:51.230 - 10:13:42 AM; Representative Corzine, a former foster parent, asked about addressing intergenerational trauma from the data to break cycles, noting impacts from addiction and COVID isolation. Senator Sullivan affirmed the commission would explore this, focusing on creating positive experiences through education and other means to rewire trauma and provide parenting skills.
SB456: Information Only 00:19:45.230 - 10:15:36 AM; Representative Levesque asked if the commission could examine the impact of school shootings nationwide on New Hampshire students' anxiety, even if not occurring locally. Senator Sullivan agreed, highlighting fears from active shooter training and the need for non-traumatic safety measures.
SB456: Information Only 00:21:43.951 - 10:17:34 AM; Representative McMahon suggested enhancing oversight by routing recommendations through the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee for greater budget influence and visibility, emphasizing the need for advocacy in funding priorities. He proposed adding language to ensure reports go to relevant committees like Finance.
SB456: Information Only 00:28:16.497 - 10:24:07 AM; Representative Rice questioned the commission's reporting structure and timeline for legislative action with budgetary impacts, noting the 45-day formation period may not allow fall legislation.
SB456: Support 00:27:06.202 - 10:22:57 AM; Representative Luff supported the bill as overdue and suggested forming unofficial committees to draft legislation quickly for the next budget cycle, offering to collaborate with Senator Sullivan.
SB456: Information Only 00:30:07.436 - 10:25:58 AM; Attorney Williams provided information on SB 456 without taking a position, acknowledging its importance in centralizing data on children's issues spanning education and health. He noted existing reporting to committees like the Oversight Committee on Children's Services and suggested placing the commission as a permanent subcommittee under it to avoid redundancy, add executive branch members (e.g., from DHHS and DOE) for resource leveraging, and ensure efficient data collection. He proposed draft amendment language to amend RSA 21-V:10, including reports to relevant policy committees. During questioning, he explained the Senate's non-adoption of similar suggestions, the value of department representation for quick access to data, and how this structure would enhance oversight without conflicting with the bill's goals or sponsor's intent.
SB456: Information Only 00:38:15.346 - 10:34:06 AM; Representative Petrino asked why the Senate did not adopt the subcommittee suggestion and expressed concern about amendments requiring Senate concurrence potentially killing the bill.
SB456: Information Only 00:40:11.064 - 10:36:02 AM; Representative Freeman inquired about including executive branch members on oversight committees and how committees without department liaisons access data, noting examples from other boards.
SB456: Information Only 00:51:27.306 - 10:47:18 AM; Vanessa Blaze was called to testify, but no testimony was provided in the transcript.
SB456: Information Only 00:52:30.126 - 10:48:21 AM; Vanessa Blaze introduced herself and her role at the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities, a federally funded agency focused on barriers to inclusive community living for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She stated that the council is neutral on SB 456 but believes the commission would benefit from including a parent representative from their council, as their parents have multi-conditional experience and expertise related to disability, and they are appointed by the governor. She offered the council as a resource for connecting with people with lived experiences of developmental disabilities. She noted the bill's provision for three parents to be appointed and suggested stipulating that one be from the DD council.
SB456: Support 00:55:48.108 - 10:51:39 AM; Moved ought to pass on SB 456, emphasizing the important work the commission will do and how badly it is needed.
SB456: Support 01:02:01.431 - 10:57:52 AM; Plans to vote no on OTP performatively because she believes the amendment is superior, agreeing with concerns about getting it through the Senate. However, she supports adding statutory members via the amendment but notes they won't consider it to avoid a fiscal note from additional staff requests, potential conference committee, and prefers future legislation. She will not write a minority report or object to consent.
SB456: Support 01:03:21.716 - 10:59:12 AM; As an incrementalist, prefers taking the good win now rather than risking it with amendments. Suggests keeping amendments in mind for future if needed after a year or this summer.
SB456: Vote 01:03:21.716 - 10:59:12 AM; Roll call vote on ought to pass: Representative Rice - Yes; Representative Pearson - Yes; Representative McMahon - Yes; Representative Nelson - Yes; Representative Love - Yes; Representative Corzine - Yes; Representative Markell - Yes; Representative Petrino - Yes; Representative Levesque - No; Representative Raymond - No; Representative Georges - Yes; Chairman DeSimone - Yes.
SB456: Support 01:04:31.636 - 11:00:22 AM; Moved to put the bill on the consent calendar, approved without objection. No minority report.
Unclear: Information Only 01:05:26.028 - 11:01:17 AM; Announced wrap-up of the session, noted some House bills will return from Senate for concurrence, non-concurrence, or committee of conference. Solicited input on using extra time until end of June for interim studies, resting, or visiting entities like courts. Offered to arrange group visits if members email preferences.
Unclear: Information Only 01:07:01.880 - 11:02:52 AM; Suggested road trips like the special committee on reform of family court did, meeting judges in chambers, which were helpful. Recommended visiting family court to understand procedures, as they hear a lot about it but some have limited experience.
Unclear: Support 01:08:14.888 - 11:04:05 AM; Expressed happiness to visit family court to check operations, especially for children and families, to inform future decisions.
Unclear: Information Only 01:08:14.888 - 11:04:05 AM; Proposed donating for flowers to thank the committee assistant for two years of hard work.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:35.641 - 11:05:26 AM; Followed up on court visits, noting public access but value in booking judges for discussions on general procedures, which informed past work. Emphasized booking ahead for specific questions without rehashing cases.
Unclear: Information Only 01:09:35.641 - 11:05:26 AM; Agreed with booking visits but also recommended element of surprise by observing stealthily. Suggested doing both approaches.
Unclear: Information Only 01:10:56.361 - 11:06:47 AM; Shared that the Sanita Center's popcorn machine is broken, affecting movie night incentive for kids. Proposed collection for a new one costing about $250, as it's a positive incentive and kids are disappointed.
Unclear: Information Only 01:10:56.361 - 11:06:47 AM; Suggested a Dutch treat committee luncheon before year-end to break bread and thank each other for hard work.
Unclear: Information Only 01:12:20.217 - 11:08:11 AM; Group agreement and thanks for hard work, friendship, and caring for people and children of the state.