Child Abuse Reporting Laws for New Hampshire

Last Reviewed:

State and Statute: New Hampshire, N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 169-C:2 et seq.

What Is Reportable “Abuse”: Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect. [169-C:3(II.)]

Mandatory Reporters: Includes any priest, minister, rabbi, Christian Science practitioner, therapist, teacher, school official, school counselor, social worker, day care worker, or any other person having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. [169-C:29]

How and Where to Report: Orally via telephone to Department of Health and Human Services, followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested. [169-C:30]

Timeline to Report: Immediately. [169-C:30]

Clergy Privilege: “The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person and his patient or client, except that between attorney and client, shall not apply to proceedings instituted pursuant to this chapter and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this chapter.” [169-C:32]

Penalty for Knowingly Failing to Report: Misdemeanor. [169-C:39]

Civil Liability for Failure to Report Recognized? No statute recognizes civil liability. Consult with legal counsel to ensure no recent court decisions in New Hampshire have recognized civil liability.

Immunity for Inaccurate Report: “Anyone participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter or who provides information or assistance… pursuant to a good faith report of child abuse or neglect is immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.” [169-C:31]

Disclosure of Mandatory Reporter’s Identity: Reporter’s identity must be kept confidential from statutory disclosure. [126-A:5XII(d)] Reporter’s identity is excluded from statutory definition of “case records” for the department. [170-G:8-a(I)(d)]

Additional Information for New Hampshire:

All information provided here was most recently verified in March of 2023.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

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