HB132: (Second New Title) eliminating liability for support and recovery over certain indigent relations.

CHAPTER 267

HB 132-FN - FINAL VERSION

26Mar2025... 0927h

26Jun2025... 2787CofC

2025 SESSION

25-0224

11/02

HOUSE BILL 132-FN

AN ACT relative to liability for familial support under RSA chapter 165, aid to assisted persons.

SPONSORS: Rep. Ladd, Graf. 5

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill changes the standard of responsibility of relatives to support poor persons.

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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

26Mar2025... 0927h

26Jun2025... 2787CofC 25-0224

11/02

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to liability for familial support under RSA chapter 165, aid to assisted persons.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

267:1 Liability for Support. Amend RSA 165:19 to read as follows:

165:19 Liability for Support. The relation of any poor person in the line of father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, husband, or wife shall assist or maintain such person when in need of relief. Said relation [shall] may be deemed able to assist such person if [his] their weekly income is more than sufficient to provide a reasonable subsistence compatible with decency and health. [Should a relation refuse to render such aid when requested to do so by a county commissioner, selectman, or overseer of public welfare, such person or persons shall upon complaint of one of these officials be summoned to appear in court. If, after hearing, it is found that the alleged poor person is in need of assistance, and that the relation is able to render such assistance, the court shall enter a decree accordingly and shall fix the amount and character of the assistance which the relation shall furnish. If the relation neglects or refuses to comply with the court order without good cause, as determined by the court at a hearing, or by refusing to work or otherwise voluntarily places himself in a position where he is unable to comply, he shall be deemed to be in contempt of court and shall be imprisoned not more than 90 nor fewer than 60 days.] If a poor person has no relation of sufficient ability, the town or city in which [he] they [resides] reside shall be liable for [his] their support. Aid to a person who is otherwise eligible for assistance under this chapter shall not be withheld due to the failure of a legally liable relative to respond to the welfare administrator or their refusal to provide aid. Any town or city furnishing aid may seek reimbursement from any legally liable relative with sufficient means to provide the reimbursement without financial hardship.

267:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.

Approved: August 01, 2025

Effective Date: January 01, 2026