HB1565

As promised during today's hearing, I have submitted my full testimony (below) as well as a brief explanation of my personal story. Thank you for your consideration. Testimony: NH HB1565 (2026) - Testimony Thank you, Madame Chair and Honorable Committee members. My name is Debra Childs, I live in Dover, NH, and I’m here speaking in strong support of HB1565. For three decades, I’ve worked with families navigating some of the most painful and complex life experiences imaginable. As executive director of Time To Put Kids First, I hear from parents across the country about how the child-protection and family-court systems affect their families. One issue comes up time and time again: false allegations. House Bill 1565 offers New Hampshire a careful and responsible way to begin addressing a problem that is widely known among attorneys, judges, child-welfare professionals, parents, and families in our state—yet rarely spoken about openly. Most victims of false allegations never speak out publicly, carrying the weight in silence—ashamed, terrified of retaliation, desperate to rebuild shattered lives. They dread the fallout rippling to everyone they love: their aging parents, siblings, their closest friends, their coworkers. Above all, they shield their own children and grandchildren from the poison of those details—especially when the lies drag innocent kids into the nightmare, forcing them to endure invasive exams, interrogations, or worse. I’ve looked into the eyes of a woman who’s spent years fighting to free her father from prison after more than a decade behind bars—imprisoned because she was coached as a child to repeat lies that put him there. I’ve heard the desperate plea of a father begging the court not to subject his 18-month-old daughter to yet another traumatic rape kit, all because of vicious, horrific and baseless accusations. These are not isolated horror stories. They reflect a serious and recurring problem hidden behind thousands of reports later labeled “unfounded”. And until bills like New Hampshire’s HB1565 force accountability for malicious lies, families will keep paying the price—in broken trust, lost years, and innocence stolen. A false report is not simply a mistake on a form. There are consequences far beyond the courtroom. They teach children that lying can be a tool to get what you want. But far more devastating, they instill fear and uncertainty in the developing mind of a trusting, naive and impressionable child. They can launch traumatic investigations, disrupt a child’s home and school life, isolate them from a parent, and permanently damage reputations—even when the allegation is later deemed unsubstantiated. The damage lasts a lifetime. False claims also harm the very people our system exists to protect. When they become common or widely discussed, real victims of abuse suffer. Those who truly need help may hesitate to come forward out of fear they will not be believed—or their situation dismissed as “just another accusation.” False claims are a misuse of the legal system, and they consume limited resources that should focus on children truly in need. A system overwhelmed by fabricated or malicious reports becomes less able to respond quickly and effectively to genuine harm. Approximately 45% of reports to DCYF are not accepted for full investigation because they do not meet criteria for suspected abuse or neglect. Of those investigated, about 87% are classified as unfounded. Recent data and historical trends both show New Hampshire has one of the lowest substantiation rates nationally, that is—only 7%.. 7% of investigated cases are proven true or supported by sufficient evidence. Though, it’s not about fewer reports—it’s about honest ones. HB1565 deters intentional falsehoods, so we can direct every resource to the children who truly need protection. It creates accountability for a person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or neglect, establishing a misdemeanor offense for intentionally providing false information, and it allows a person harmed by an intentional false report to seek civil relief. The key word in this bill is “knowingly.” Being wrong is not a crime. A report that cannot be substantiated is not a crime. A concerned neighbor, teacher, doctor, or family member who genuinely believes a child may be in danger remains fully protected. HB1565 applies only when someone knows the information is false and reports it anyway. The legal standard is intentionally high. Prosecutors would have to prove not only that the allegation was false, but that the person making the report knew it was false at the time. This is a difficult standard to meet—and it should be. Honest reporters have nothing to fear under this bill. It does not weaken mandatory reporting laws. It does not reduce protections for children. It does not discourage people from reporting genuine concerns. In fact, the bill clearly preserves full legal immunity for anyone who reports suspected abuse or neglect in good faith. On behalf of my grandchildren and children, on behalf of myself, my family and all survivors of false allegations, I urge the committee to recommend OTP on HB1565. Our families—and especially our children—deserve a system that balances strong protections with meaningful accountability for abuse of that system. Thank you for your time and for considering this important legislation. Personal story: https://www.timetoputkidsfirst.org/debra-childs The false allegations made against me (and my son) will - sadly - be forever stored in an Oregon court system. I have never had the strength to speak openly about them... because it is risky and painful to speak openly about them (for the reasons I explained in my testimony). Thank you.

Honorable Members of the Children and Family Law Committee, There are many well documented instances of false allegations to DCYF being used to harm individuals. The motivations are many, personal animus, leverage in divorce, and political retribution to name a few. Regardless of the motivation, the truly injured individuals are the children involved. Every time the State intervenes in a family, even when necessary, there is an unavoidable psychological injury to the child when what they consider to be the source of their security is ripped asunder. Holding those accountable who capriciously injure children is your duty. Vote Ought-to-Pass on HB1565. Hon. Daniel C. Itse Former Chairman of Constitutional Review and Statutory Recodification (2011/2012) Former Vice Chairman of Children and Family Law (2017/2018) Former Senior Policy Advisor Children and Family Law (2007/2008,2009/2010) 603-702-0381

Plain and simple.....This bill is long overdue. Individuals need to be held accountable for filing false reports