CONCORD — The New Hampshire House on Thursday initially approved changes to the Youth Detention Center settlement fund that officials believe will make the program more attractive to the victims and increase settlements.
The fund was established two years ago with $100 million in surplus money to address the more than 1,400 victims who claim they were sexually and physically abused by staff when they were held at the facility in Manchester.
The first case to go before a judge is ongoing at this time in Rockingham Superior Court, with David Meehan, the first person to come forward and claim he was sexually and physically abused at the facility.
The changes to the settlement fund are intended to be an alternative to cases going through the court process and ultimately save the state money and provide a more stable draw on state resources.
Under the bill, the caps would be increased for egregious sexual abuse from $1.5 million to $2.5 million and for claims involving other abuse only, from $150,000 to $250,000.
The categories for claims have also been expanded and attorneys for some of the victims said with the expansions, they would urge their clients to go through the settlement process instead of the courts.
Through the first quarter of 2024, claims filed total $460 million and about two-thirds of the initial $100 million has been allocated either through negotiations with the Attorney General’s Office or the formal settlement process administered by former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick.
Lawmakers are expecting a request for another $60 million for the settlement fund this year and for additional money during the budget process in the 2025 legislative session.
Senate Bill 591 was approved on a voice vote without debate late in Thursday’s session and now goes to the House Finance Committee for review before a final vote.