Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 1 into law Tuesday delaying the closure of the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester formerly known as YDC.
Sununu signed it soon after the House voted on an amendment that funds $1.5 million to keep it open and staffed through the end of the fiscal year and the state Senate concurred Tuesday.
It also establishes a commission to study the public safety of the secured youth development center and surrounding communities as the state looks to build a smaller facility for troubled juveniles.
“While I appreciate this stop gap measure, let’s remember more work needs to be done this session to ensure we move quickly to dedicate funding for construction of a new facility that will meet the needs of these kids. Time is of the essence,” Sununu said in an email.
Lawmakers were able to delay closure until at least late 2024 and had been under pressure to do so as state law required closure by March 1 unless there was an agreement.
Deputy Democratic Leader Cindy Rosenwald, D-Nashua, said,“It is essential that we do everything in our power to keep the children housed in the Sununu Youth Services Center safe, off of the street, and in New Hampshire. These children are some of our most vulnerable residents, and sending them to facilities states away from their families and the support they so desperately need is not an option.
“While the language passed today in SB 1 is not even remotely close to what the children at the Sununu Center need or deserve, I am confident that the Senate will work together on a long-term solution that we will deliver this session.”
Assistant Democratic Leader Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, added, “I am thankful to my colleagues in the Senate and the advocates who worked tirelessly to try to find a compromise on such an important, time-sensitive piece of legislation. It is disappointing that the House could not put their differences aside and come to a consensus to protect our most vulnerable children. The children at the Sununu Center have endured the most despicable abuse, and it is deeply concerning that the House chose to further delay addressing this dire problem. Our work is far from done, and we will continue to fight for these children until a real solution is enacted.”
State Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said after passage of SB1:
“Today’s action marks an important step in replacing the SYSC with a safe, secure facility for juvenile offenders. The Senate has amended the bill to include both an increase in public safety measures toward the future host community, along with new protections for New Hampshire taxpayers.”