HB 473-FN (2025): criminalizing multiple forms of exposing children to controlled substances and allowing law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening and testing in an instance of suspected or actual criminal exposure to controlled substances.

HB 473-FN (2025)

criminalizing multiple forms of exposing children to controlled substances and allowing law enforcement to take a child into protective custody for screening and testing in an instance of suspected or actual criminal exposure to controlled substances.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Children and Family Law
• Subject: Children
• Chapter law: 189

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 12, 2025, with 37 people signed in online: 33 in support and 4 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 7, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0430h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0430h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 24, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On May 8, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2731e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 15, 2025, making it Chapter 189 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jodi Nelson (R - Rock 13) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Jay Markell (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. John Sellers (R - Graf 10)
• Rep. Bill Boyd (R - Hills 12)
• Rep. Charles McMahon (R - Rock 17)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Rep. Debra DeSimone (R - Rock 18)
• Rep. Peter Petrigno (D - Hills 43)
• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20)
• Rep. Charles Foote (R - Rock 13)
• Rep. Kimberly Rice (R - Hills 38)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Rep. Alicia Gregg (D - Hills 7)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 12, 2025, 3:00 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• March 7, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• March 26, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 24, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Children and Family Law, SH 103
• May 8, 2025: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• March 26, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0430h — voice vote, passed
• May 8, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 639-A
• RSA 639-A:1
• RSA 639-A:2
• RSA 639-A:4

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 17, page 9
• SC 17
• SC 20