Bill Text: NH HB1620 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to forensic child abuse evaluations and making an appropriation for the training of forensic child abuse specialists.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-04 - Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/04/2016 House Journal 11 P. 7 [HB1620 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2016-HB1620-Introduced.html
HB 1620-FN-A AS INTRODUCED
2016 SESSION
16-2400
05/09
HOUSE BILL 1620-FN-A
AN ACT relative to forensic child abuse evaluations and making an appropriation for the training of forensic child abuse specialists.
SPONSORS: Rep. Brewster, Merr. 21
COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill requires the court in proceedings under RSA 169-C to have the child evaluated by a forensic child abuse specialist before the child is removed from the home. The bill also makes an appropriation to the department of justice to establish a forensic child abuse training program.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
16-2400
05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT relative to forensic child abuse evaluations and making an appropriation for the training of forensic child abuse specialists.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Child Protection Act; Child Welfare and Findings Regarding Removal; Examination by Forensic Child Abuse Specialist. Amend RSA 169-C:6-b by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
III. Prior to the removal of a child from the home, the child shall be evaluated by a forensic child abuse specialist. For purposes of this paragraph, a "forensic child abuse specialist" means a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, nurse, or physician who has completed specialized training in forensic child abuse investigations.
2 Department of Justice; Appropriation for Forensic Child Abuse Specialist Training Program. The sum of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017 is hereby appropriated to the department of justice, grants management unit for the purpose of establishing a forensic child abuse specialist training program. The program shall offer specialized training in forensic child abuse investigations to licensed clinical social workers, psychotherapists, nurses, and physicians. The goal of the program shall be to ensure that at least 5-10 individuals are available in each county to conduct the forensic child abuse evaluations required under RSA 169-C:6-b, III, as inserted by section 1 of this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2016.
16-2400
12/15/15
HB 1620-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to forensic child abuse evaluations and making an appropriation for the training of forensic child abuse specialists.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice state this bill, as introduced, will increase state general fund expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2017 and each year thereafter. There will be no impact on county and local expenditures, or on state, county, and local revenue.
This bill appropriates $1,000,000 from the state general fund in FY 2017 to the Department of Justice for the purposes of this act.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Health and Human Services states this bill requires the court in proceedings under RSA 169-C to have the child evaluated by a forensic child abuse specialist before the child is removed from the home. The Department estimates the average cost of a forensic exam to be $350, and states the average annual number of removals in abuse and neglect cases is 323. Accordingly, the Department estimates the bill will increase state expenditures by $113,050 per year beginning in FY 2017. The Department assumes these exams will be paid for entirely with state general funds.
The Department of Justice states this bill appropriates $1,000,000 in FY 2017 for the purpose of establishing a forensic child abuse training program. Because the bill does not state that this appropriation would be nonlapsing, any remaining appropriation would lapse to the general fund at the end of FY 2017. The Department is unable to determine the cost of implementing a forensic child abuse program within the Department itself, but notes that information is available regarding the cost of providing training by contracting with outside entities. For example, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training at a cost of $300-$600 per course per attendant. This course involves:
- Attendance at a 40-hour didactic training program.
- Attendance at an 8-hour clinical skills lab program.
- Adhering to the NH Office of the Attorney General's Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Rules and Regulations for Currency of Practice.
Alternatively, or perhaps as a supplement to the SANE training described above, the NH Children's Advocacy Center provides training in the forensic interviewing of children. Costs vary for this more specialized course, but the Department expects them to be in the range of $600-$1,000 per course per attendant. Finally, if more extensive training is needed, a three-year fellowship in child abuse pediatrics is necessary to become a board-certified child abuse pediatrician. The Department has identified the Warren Alpert Medical School in Rhode Island as the nearest medical school offering a full residence/fellowship three-year program in child abuse pediatrics. The Department has contacted the school, but as of this writing (12/14/15) has not received information regarding the cost of the program.
