New Hampshire Legislators Tackle Abuse in Disability Care System

New Hampshire lawmakers are drafting legislation to confront systemic abuse and neglect within the state’s disability care system. This initiative follows a series of investigative articles published by the New Hampshire Bulletin that revealed alarming instances of mistreatment and inadequate oversight affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

State Senator David Rochefort, a Republican from Littleton and chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, announced that he and legislative staff are working on a late bill aimed at addressing these critical issues. The articles published in November highlighted both fatal and non-fatal cases of abuse and neglect, prompting calls for urgent reforms.

According to data obtained by the Bulletin, between January 2023 and June 2025, there were 467 credible reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation investigated by the state. Additionally, 119 deaths were recorded within the system during this period, raising significant concerns about the safety and well-being of individuals reliant on state-funded care.

Individuals with disabilities in New Hampshire are entitled to receive care funded and monitored by the state through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Developmental Services. This bureau contracts with ten private area agencies, each tasked with coordinating care in specific regions. The Bulletin’s investigation involved discussions with families, advocates, and legal representatives who shared their experiences of abuse and neglect within this framework.

Rochefort expressed deep concern after reviewing the Bulletin’s findings, stating, “I don’t think there’s any opposition to making change here. I think there’s a real desire to do something now from everyone involved.” He noted that lawmakers from both parties have shown support for reform, indicating a collective commitment to addressing these issues swiftly.

The proposed legislation aims to enhance oversight and improve data sharing, allowing authorities to respond more effectively to complaints and identify ongoing problems. Rochefort explained, “Data on these things would be shared automatically, rather than the way that it’s shared now.” This shift is intended to create a more responsive system for addressing complaints and taking necessary actions.

Additionally, the bill seeks to amend the composition of the Incapacitated and Vulnerable Adults Fatality Review Committee. This committee, established by state law to review concerning deaths and provide recommendations for prevention, will include better representation from affected communities. Rochefort believes that this change will allow for more impactful discussions about systemic improvements.

The Bulletin’s previous reports detailed tragic incidents, including the December 2022 death of Stephen Weidlich Jr., a man with physical and developmental disabilities, who was found dead near his care home. Another report highlighted the case of Christine Marie Bill, a woman with disabilities who died from overheating in a sealed car in July 2019. Both incidents went unreported to the Fatality Review Committee, according to its co-chairs, Vanessa Blais and Francesca Broderick, who stated they had not been informed of these deaths prior to the Bulletin’s investigation.

As the legislative process unfolds, stakeholders await further details on the proposed measures. The urgency of addressing these systemic failures has galvanized support across the political spectrum, signaling a potential turning point for the care and protection of individuals with disabilities in New Hampshire.