HB 257-FN (2026): relative to the crime of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent.

HB 257-FN (2026)

relative to the crime of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Children and Family Law
• Subject: Crimes, Criminal Procedure and Corrections

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 22, 2025, with 18 people signed in online: 7 in support and 11 in opposition. The committee held a work session on January 29, 2025. The committee met in executive session on January 29, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 11–5. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On February 20, 2025 the House adopted “Recommit” on a division vote 371–2, on a motion by Rep. Terry Roy. The committee met in executive session on March 19, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 22, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 22, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1038h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1038h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On January 8, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB257 on Table” on a division vote 117–204, on a motion by Rep. Donald McFarlane. It crossed to the Senate and was referred to the Senate Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 19, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 16, 2026 the Senate adopted “Refer to Interim Study” on a voice vote.

Sponsors

• Rep. Skip Rollins (R - Sull 3) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)
• Rep. Diane Pauer (R - Hills 36)
• Rep. Cassandra Levesque (D - Straf 4)
• Rep. Brian Sullivan (D - Sull 1)
• Rep. Hope Damon (D - Sull 8)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 22, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 301-303
• January 29, 2025, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• January 29, 2025, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• February 20, 2025: floor debate, House
• March 19, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, LOB 202-204
• October 22, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 230
• October 22, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 230
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• January 8, 2026: floor debate, House
• March 19, 2026, 9:40 AM: hearing, Senate Children and Family Law, SH 100
• April 16, 2026: consent calendar, Senate

Votes

• February 20, 2025, House: Recommit — yeas 371, nays 2, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-1038h — voice vote, passed
• January 8, 2026, House: Lay HB257 on Table — yeas 117, nays 204, failed
• April 16, 2026, Senate: Refer to Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 639:3

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 12, page 15
• HJ 1, page 43
• HJ 2, pages 70 and 71
• SJ 2
• SC 10
• SC 14
• SJ 9
• House Calendar 51, 2025, committee report