relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care.
Sponsored By: Mary Jane Wallner (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Help foster children get federal benefits
New Hampshire’s health department must check children’s Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and veterans benefits within 60 days of entering care. It must apply for children who may qualify but receive no benefits, and check yearly for new eligibility. Care includes department custody, guardianship, and supervised out-of-home placements. The department cannot seek to replace an existing benefit manager unless that person is unsuitable or federal rules justify replacement. When someone is needed, the department must consult the child and representative and encourage a suitable person to apply. The department can apply to manage benefits only when no suitable candidate is available. It must notify the child, parents, guardian, placement, court-appointed advocate, and attorney about benefit applications and decisions. Parents whose rights have ended are excluded. Denial notices must explain appeals and list contacts for free or reduced-fee legal help. These duties cover children in care on or after July 1, 2027, and require the commissioner’s funding certification. Screening is scheduled for July 1, 2027; benefit-manager and notice rules are scheduled for July 1, 2028. A duty starts upon certification when certification comes after its scheduled date.
Protect foster children’s benefits and savings
When a court names New Hampshire’s health department to manage a child’s benefits, it cannot use the child’s money to repay care costs. This protects federal benefits, other benefits, savings, and assets from payments to the department or state. Federal benefits can cover unmet needs beyond the department’s duties. The department must hold funds for current and future needs in an appropriate account that follows benefit and asset-limit rules. Options include special-needs trusts and ABLE savings accounts for eligible children with disabilities. The department must give annual accountings to the child, the child’s representative, and parents or guardians. When its responsibility ends, it must release remaining money according to the funding source’s rules. Without such rules, money goes to the child at 18 or upon emancipation; otherwise, it goes to the responsible adult. These protections cover children in care on or after July 1, 2027, and require the commissioner’s funding certification. They start July 1, 2028, with earlier certification, or upon later certification. A separate duty requires completed ABLE account procedures by June 30, 2027, for eligible children in department custody whose benefits it manages. That duty starts upon funding certification, and federal Title IV-E funds can support the work.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mary Jane Wallner
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Debra L DeSimone
Republican • House
Kimberly A Rice
Affiliation unavailable
Maureen C. Mooney
Republican • House
Pat Long
Democratic • Senate
David Rochefort
Republican • Senate
Cindy Rosenwald
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor Ayotte 07/10/2026; Chapter 287; eff. I. Sec 1 eff 7/1/2027 II. Sec 2 eff 1/1/2028 III. Sec 3 eff 7/10/2026
7/16/2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 56
7/1/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 15
6/30/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e: AA VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 48
6/22/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2171e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
6/19/2026SenateConference Committee Report 2026-2061c: Adopted, VV 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 15
6/4/2026HouseConference Committee Report # 2026-2061c, Adopted, VV; 06/04/2026; SJ 14
5/29/2026SenateConference Committee Report Filed, # 2026-2061c; 06/04/2026
5/27/2026SenateConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:00 am GP 231
5/26/2026HousePresident Appoints: Senators Rochefort, Lang, Rosenwald; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
5/20/2026SenateSen. Rochefort Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
5/20/2026SenateSpeaker Appoints: Reps. DeSimone, Rice, Nelson, Mooney 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
5/18/2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1854s and 2026-1425s and Requests CofC (Reps. Weyler, DeSimone): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
5/18/2026HouseCommittee Amendment # 2026-1854s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
5/8/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
5/8/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1854s, 05/14/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 18
5/6/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
4/14/2026SenateCommittee Amendment # 2026-1425s, AA, VV; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
4/14/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1425s, 04/16/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 14A
4/10/2026SenateHearing: 03/25/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:00 am; SC 11
3/19/2026SenateIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
3/17/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0821h: MA DV 309-19 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 172
3/11/2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0821h: AA DV 321-4 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 171
3/11/2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Refer for Interim Study
3/3/2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0821h 02/20/2026 (Vote 13-12; RC) HC 10 P. 46
3/3/2026House
Bill Text
As Amended
6/19/2026
Enrolled
6/19/2026
Introduced
1/21/2025
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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