Statement from Governor Hassan on Signing Bill to Strengthen the Child Protection Act

Press Release

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after today signing Senate Bill 515, which strengthens the Child Protection Act regarding potential opioid abuse of a parent or guardian:

"Our society rests on the fundamental principle that every child should be able to grow up in a safe environment, and we must always be working to protect our children. While we continue working to strengthen our prevention and education efforts and increase access to treatment, we must also do everything that we can to protect our children from the dangers of substance misuse, especially when their parents or guardians are battling addiction. By recognizing the negative impact a parent or guardian's opioid abuse has on children and that children may need to be removed from households in which substance misuse is present, Senate Bill 515 builds on our efforts to strengthen the Child Protection Act and to help ensure the safety and well-being of all of our children."

As part of her efforts to protect New Hampshire's children, Governor Hassan recently signed Senate Bill 536, relative to emergency interim relief under the child protection act; Senate Bill 538, relative to children taken into custody under the child protection act and relative to the commission to review child abuse fatalities, and Senate Bill 539, relative to access to records under the child protection act. The Governor also launched an outside, independent review of the Division of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) to ensure that it is using the best practices to protect children across the State.

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