SB 508-FN (2024): relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community and relative to enforcement of New Hampshire anti-discrimination laws as they relate to Jewish people.

SB 508-FN (2024)

relative to the duties of the superintendent of the county department of corrections concerning mental health and substance use disorder screening of inmates and coordination for services upon reentry into the community and relative to enforcement of New Hampshire anti-discrimination laws as they relate to Jewish people.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2023-2024
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Miscellaneous
• Chapter law: 359

The Story

It was introduced on January 3, 2024 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 18, 2024. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On March 7, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it. On April 5, 2024 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House and was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2024, with 38 people signed in online: 37 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 24, 2024 and May 1, 2024. The committee held a public hearing on May 1, 2024 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2024-1645h), with 2 people signed in online: 1 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee voted 19–1 to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2024-1728h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2024-1728h) was adopted on a roll call 189–160 on May 9, 2024, changing the text of the bill. On May 9, 2024 the House failed “Lay SB508 on Table” on a division vote 168–186, on a motion by Rep. Ellen Read. On May 9, 2024 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 210–143. On May 30, 2024 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Sharon Carson. The bill was enrolled on June 13, 2024 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2024-2355e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 2, 2024, making it Chapter 359 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. Rebecca Whitley (D - SD15) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D - SD20)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Shannon Chandley (D - SD11)
• Rep. Jonah Wheeler (D - Hills 33)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 18, 2024, 1:45 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• April 24, 2024, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• April 24, 2024, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• May 1, 2024, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204

Votes

• March 7, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 5, 2024, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Adopt Amendment — yeas 189, nays 160, passed
• May 9, 2024, House: Lay SB508 on Table — yeas 168, nays 186, failed
• May 9, 2024, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1728h — yeas 210, nays 143, passed
• May 30, 2024, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 30-B:4
• RSA 354-A

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 3
• SC 9A
• SC 13
• House Calendar 18, 2024, committee report