SB 515-FN (2026): relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.

SB 515-FN (2026)

relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Children and Family Law
• Senate committee: Children and Family Law
• Subject: Children
• Chapter law: 126

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 15, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 3–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0129s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0129s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Children and Family Law committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 24, 2026, with 9 people signed in online: 8 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 31, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 16–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 5, 2026, making it Chapter 126 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. Pat Long (D - SD20) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. Victoria Sullivan (R - SD18)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 15, 2026, 10:20 AM: hearing, Senate Children and Family Law, SH 103
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 24, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• March 31, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Children and Family Law, GP 230
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, House

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0129s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 169-B:19-d
• RSA 169-C:19-f
• RSA 169-D:9-d
• RSA 169-C:10

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HJ 11, page 3
• SJ 13
• HJ 13, page 154
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report