NH House tables bill that would place Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence under 91-A

The House of Representatives narrowly voted to table a bill that would increase transparency and oversight requirements for the NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, 168-156.

A panel last week approved major changes to the legislation sponsored by Newmarket Democratic Rep. Ellen Read, namely that House Bill 1675 would no longer call for an investigation into the nonprofit or restrict funding but subject the grant program it operates under to public records law.

Rep. Erica DeVries, a Hampton Democrat, made the motion and urged her colleagues to delay further action. Tabling a bill can often be its end, unless the House agrees to later take it back up.

“These ‘improvements’ still have failed to address the legitimate concerns of the organizations impacted, concerns about confidentiality that affect safety,” DeVries said.

The Coalition has said public records requirements would put confidential information about its clients at risk and that that would jeopardize its federal grant funding.

In a statement after the vote, the Coalition’s public affairs director, Amanda Grady Sexton, said Gov. Kelly Ayotte had indicated she would veto the bill if it passed.

“Her commitment sent a powerful message that the safety and privacy of victims must always be protected,” Grady Sexton said.

Some lawmakers shared those concerns and argued that a shift away from privacy protections could endanger survivors of abuse. New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law, RSA 91-A, includes privacy exemptions.

Other lawmakers said that greater public transparency and oversight are warranted based on questions about finances, services and advocacy work done by the Coalition and its member organizations.

Derry Republican Rep. Erica Layon, who wrote the amendment to Read’s bill, had asked the House to approve it.

“The Coalition provides many, many state services. They implement state law in many ways that are critical for victims,” Layon said. “Because they are implementing these procedures, there should be operational reports … as well as basic transparency.”

What’s next: House Bill 1675 is effectively dead, though bills can be removed from the table at any point in the legislative session for further action.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the Coalition.

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