Our Coalitions
New Hampshire Kids Count brings people together for kids by convening broad and inclusive groups of partners. We combine expertise, address specific challenges and craft public policy solutions to effect system-wide change.
New Hampshire Juvenile Justice Coalition
The New Hampshire Juvenile Justice Coalition is a broad group of partners working together to improve the justice system serving our children and our communities. The New Hampshire Juvenile Justice Coalition members value knowledge, public safety, compassion and fairness. The coalition developed several legislative initiatives in 2015, to update juvenile justice laws, reflecting the newest practices for detained youth.
2015 Juvenile Justice Legislation
- HB 305
- HB 527
- HB 581
Among the changes proposed in the legislation are:
- Establishing guidelines for school resource officers in NH school districts
- Continuing education for students who are suspended or expelled
- Improve protections against waiver of counsel for unidentified special education children
- Expunge adult criminal records for those 17 year olds convicted of a crime between 7/1/2014 and 7/1/2015 (date at which 17 year olds become a juvenile und HB1624-2014)
- Develop discharge plans for youth at the Sununu Center as early as possible
- Assess minors who are adjudicated for eligibility of state medical assistance program
Previous Successful Legislative Priorities
- Modernization of CHINS (2013)
- Juvenile Justice Reform (HB 1624) (2014)
Recent News
- Review: NH Should Juvenile Justice in DCYF Concord Monitor (3/28/15)
- My Turn: Privatize Detention Centers? Bad Idea. Concord Monitor (3/26/15)
- School to Prison Pipeline in Indian Country Indian Country Today Media Network (AZ) (3/26/15)
- My Turn: Suspension, Expulsion Shouldn’t Halt Learning Rep. Mary Gile (D- Merrimack) and Rep. Ralph Boehm (R- Hillsborough), Concord Monitor
- Education Bills NH. Org: House Commitee Votes to Retain HB 527
Resources for NH Legislators
- Understanding the Role of a School Resource Officer, New Hampshire Bar Association (6/21/13) https://www.nhbar.org/publications/display-news-issue.asp?id=6887
- School Resource Officers: Safety Priority or Part of the Problem? US News (1/30/15) http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/01/30/are-school-resource-officers-part-of-the-school-to-prison-pipeline-problem
- Reform Trends for Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Justice Information Exchange http://jjie.org/hub/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/reform-trends/
- Refer to #3
- Justice Works at UNH
- http://cola.unh.edu/justiceworks/new-hampshire-criminal-justice-system-flow-chart
Other Resources:
- Health Care for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System, American Academy of Pediatrics (2011) http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/6/1219.full.pdf
- School Resource Officers Programs, Tennessee Department of Education (6/9/14) http://www.tn.gov/education/health_safety/school_resource_officers.shtml