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CHAPTER 101
SB 456 - FINAL VERSION
03/26/2026 1226s
03/26/2026 1255s
2026 SESSION
26-2227
12/09
SENATE BILL
456
AN ACT
establishing the commission for children's futures.
SPONSORS: Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Rep. Rice, Hills. 38; Rep. Nelson, Rock. 13; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study issues related to the public health and safety of children in the state.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/26/2026 1226s
03/26/2026 1255s 26-2227
12/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
establishing the commission for children's futures.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
101:1 New Subdivision; Study Commission for Children's Futures. Amend RSA 200 by inserting after section 63 the following new subdivision:
Study Commission for Children's Futures
200:64 Commission Established. There is a commission established to study the health and well-being of children in the state and to identify the gaps in mental and physical health services provided to children. The commission shall be administratively attached to the department of education.
I. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(b) One member of the senate from the democratic party and one member of the senate from the republican party, appointed by the president of the senate;
(c) Two health care professionals licensed in the state, appointed by the governor;
(d) One medical practitioner licensed in the state specializing in either traditional or holistic medicine, appointed by the speaker of the house;
(e) One child psychologist licensed in the state, appointed by the senate president;
(f) One mental health care provider, appointed by the speaker of the house;
(g) Two teachers certified by the department of education, one of whom is certified in special education, appointed by the governor;
(h) One dietitian, as defined in RSA 326-H:3, appointed by the senate president;
(i) One member of state or local law enforcement, appointed by the speaker of the house; and
(j) Three parents of children residing in the state, one of whom is appointed by the governor, one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house, and one of whom is appointed by the senate president.
II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
III. The commission shall study:
(a) The usage of individualized education programs (IEPs) in schools and trends within IEPs over time;
(b) The child usage rate of pharmaceuticals with psychoactive effects;
(c) Reports of diagnosed mental health issues in youth;
(d) The proportion of students that know of someone who has experienced a mental health crisis;
(e) Changes in the prevalence of childhood cancer and long-term diseases;
(f) Changes in autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit disorder diagnoses;
(g) The amount of mental health services provided to minors and associated trends with such services;
(h) The prevalence of criminal street gangs, as defined in RSA 651:6, I-a(c) in New Hampshire;
(i) The number of incidents of violence in public schools and the impact such incidents have on students;
(j) Truancy and attendance rates in public schools;
(k) The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and the effect such experiences have on children;
(l) Childhood exposure to pornographic content; and
(m) Youth homelessness rates.
IV. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
V. The commission shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library annually on November 1 of each year.
101:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: May 28, 2026
Effective Date: May 28, 2026