New Hampshire HB 1438: enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

Bill Text

HB 1438 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

11Mar2026... 1024h

2026 SESSION

 26-2620

 08/09

HOUSE BILL 1438

AN ACT enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

SPONSORS: Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Booras, Hills. 8; Rep. Lloyd, Hills. 8; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 This bill enables mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11Mar2026... 1024h 26-2620

 08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT enabling mental health caseworkers to report instances of animal abuse by their clients.

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

 1 New Section; Duty to Report Animal Abuse. Amend RSA 330-A by inserting after section 35 the following new section: 

 330-A:36 Reports of Animal Abuse. 

 I. A person licensed under this chapter having knowledge of, or suspecting in good faith, that any animal has been subjected to cruelty, neglect, exploitation, or is living in hazardous conditions through information from a client that would normally be protected confidential information may report, or cause a report to be made, to a law enforcement officer or to the field services office with the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

 II. The duty may be discharged by, and no monetary liability or cause of action shall arise against, any person licensed under this chapter if the licensee makes reasonable efforts to notify the police department closest to the suspected location of animal cruelty, neglect, or exploitation, or to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

 III. No monetary liability and no cause of action may arise concerning client privacy or confidentiality against any person licensed under this chapter for information disclosed to third parties in an effort to discharge a duty under paragraphs I and II. 

 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.