New Hampshire HB 1639: relative to children with disabilities placed at state facilities for detained or adjudicated youth.

Bill Text

HB 1639-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2026 SESSION

 26-3041

 04/09

HOUSE BILL 1639-FN

AN ACT establishing investigatory grand juries housed under the county sheriffs' offices.

SPONSORS: Rep. D. Kelley, Hills. 32; Rep. Aldrich, Belk. 6; Rep. Bailey, Straf. 2; Rep. Potenza, Straf. 19; Rep. Sabourin dit Choiniere, Rock. 30; Rep. Sirois, Hills. 32; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. DeRoy, Straf. 3

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

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ANALYSIS

 This bill establishes a framework for petition-initiated special grand juries with broad investigative authority over public institutions, detention and care facilities, financial entities, election and tax administration, corporate and professional misconduct, and federal overreach, while requiring counties to support their operations.

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 Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 26-3041

 04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT establishing investigatory grand juries housed under the county sheriffs' offices.

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

 1 Jurors; Compensation of Jurors. Amend RSA 500-A:15, I to read as follows: 

 I. Grand and petit jurors' fees and mileage shall be paid by the state. The petit jurors' fees shall be $10 for each half day's attendance before a superior court and the grand jurors' fees shall be $200 per day; for each mile's travel to and from the place where the juror serves, mileage shall be paid at the rate of $.20 per mile, mileage to be allowed for each day's attendance when the juror is required to leave the town or city in which he resides. 

 2 New Chapter; Petition-Initiated Special Grand Juries. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 600-B the following new chapter: 

CHAPTER 600-C

PETITION-INITIATED SPECIAL GRAND JURIES

 600-C:1 Petition-Initiated Special Grand Juries. 

 I. Upon the filing of a petition signed by not fewer than 500 qualified electors residing in a county, the superior court shall order the convening of a special grand jury to investigate the subject matter set forth in the petition. 

 II. The petition shall clearly state the subject matter to be investigated and shall include the printed name, address, and signature of each qualified elector. 

 III. Upon verification that the petition meets the requirements of this section, the superior court shall issue an order convening a special grand jury within 60 days. The special grand jury shall have the same authority and duties as recognized under the common law and tradition. 

 IV. The costs of convening a petition-initiated special grand jury shall be borne by the county in which the petition is filed. 

 600-C:2 Inspection of Detention and Care Facilities. 

 I. Each term the regular county grand jury shall inquire into the condition, management, and operation of: 

 (a) Any county jail, house of correction, federal detainment facility, state prison or other penal facility located within the county; 

 (b) Any detention facility operated by or under contract with the county or a municipality within the county, including juvenile detention centers and holding facilities;

 (c) Any institutional nursing home or long-term care facility located within the county that received public funds or is operated by a public entity. 

 II. The grand jury may conduct on-site inspections, review records, and interview staff or residents as necessary to fulfill its duties under this section. 

 III. Residents and prisoners shall be given a confidential means of communicating with the foreman of the regular grand jury or special grand jury if they fear reprisal for providing information. 

 600-C:3 Audit of Public Entities Receiving Taxpayer Funds. 

 I. The grand jury shall investigate and report on the operations, accounts, and records of any county department, agency, or function, including any public entity that receives county or municipal taxpayer funds. 

 II. At a minimum, the grand jury shall select at least one such entity for investigation during each term. 

 III. The grand jury may: 

 (a) Examine financial records, contracts, and expenditures;

 (b) Interview public officials, employees, or contractors; and

 (c) Review policies, procedures, internal controls, and internal communications. 

 IV. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the grand jury's authority to investigate additional entities or to issue findings and recommendations regarding the efficiency, effectiveness, or integrity of public operations. 

 V. If, in the judgment of the grand jury, the servic