SB 670-FN-A (2026): establishing a developmental services oversight commission; relative to reporting requirements regarding the death of a child in residential care; and relative to the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

SB 670-FN-A (2026)

establishing a developmental services oversight commission; relative to reporting requirements regarding the death of a child in residential care; and relative to the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Public and Mental Health
• Chapter law: 278

The Story

It was introduced on February 5, 2026 and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 18, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1046s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1046s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 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 March 12, 2026 and was referred to the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 25, 2026, with 43 people signed in online: 41 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on April 15, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1516h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 13–5. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1516h) was adopted on a voice vote on May 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. David Rochefort. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2148e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 278 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
• Sen. Sharon Carson (R - SD14)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Sen. Cindy Rosenwald (D - SD13)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 18, 2026, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• March 12, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 25, 2026, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• April 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, GP 158
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1046s — voice vote, passed
• May 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1516h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 171-A
• RSA 161-F:46
• RSA 161-F:49
• RSA 169-C

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 4
• SC 6
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• HJ 8, page 115
• HC 18, page 15
• HJ 12, page 37
• SJ 12
• HJ 15, pages 43 and 52
• SJ 14