HB1438

This bill will require mental health professionals to report animal abuse information that they acquire from their clients, as they are now required to do in cases of child abuse. Wild animals are also subjected to abuse and they are protected under RSA 206:19-b Cruelty to Wild Animals, Fish, or Wild Birds. I support this bill.

Honorable Representatives, My name is Kevin Blanchette, and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor here in New Hampshire. In my clinical work, I have repeatedly seen the connection between animal abuse and human abuse. In cases where abuse and neglect were happening to an animal, it has been a signal that others in the home were also being abused. This included harm to both domestic and wild animals. I have consulted with supervisors, agency directors and legal teams about the reporting of animal abuse in these instances, and each time, the answer was the same: the law is unclear. Clients can be educated, but without the tangible support provided after a report is made, education can only go so far. Without a clear mandated reporting law, mental health providers are placed in an impossible position. Reporting risks violating confidentiality. Not reporting risks allowing abuse to continue. Ethically, without legal backing, we cannot break confidentiality. This means opportunities for intervention are lost. Mandated reporting laws for vulnerable populations are not a new idea. We have them in place not as punishment, but rather as a way of opening up access to support. Abuse and neglect do not stop simply because they are identified in therapy. Mental health providers are limited in what support we can provide on our own. Meaningful intervention requires collaboration among social services, animal services, and law enforcement. The need for this collaboration is well-established. It is recognized nationally and internationally, including by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, which has emphasized the importance of a collaborative response to animal abuse. By recognizing animals as a vulnerable population and clarifying reporting obligations, this bill gives professionals the legal clarity needed to provide a comprehensive response. This bill does not create risk. It reduces it. It replaces uncertainty with clarity and opens space for ethical decision making. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I fully endorse this legislation. Abuse, in any form, must be brought to light so innocent animals can be protected and helped.

I support HB 1438

I support HB1438

Animals should be deserving of the protection from abuse that we afford to people!

As pet parents and concerned citizens, my husband and I see a real need for mental health workers to have greater latitude in reporting animal abuse in domestic situations. We've recently moved from California to Plymouth, NH. In my experience as a volunteer at animal rescue shelters in the densely populated city of San Jose, I witnessed dogs of various breeds who were brought in critically injured -- not from accidents but from intentional infliction of pain. Many times, the family dog intervened to save a child from being brutally attacked. Dogs are known to be very protective of small children or other vulnerable (such as disabled) family household members. It's only because mental health workers promptly reported these animal victims of domestic violence, that our staff could treat their serious wounds, In many cases, the dogs (and some household cats) would have died otherwise. Naturally, any children victimized were reported as well. The protocol is seamless between human and animal abuse. A crime is a crime -- no matter the species of victim! This is a perfect opportunity for your committee to support HB 1438. Now that my family lives here, as Granite Staters we want to be part of the legislative process that truly benefits our community. For your reference, here's current California Law on domestic violence: "In California, mental health workers are required to report suspected child abuse, animal domestic violence, and other forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities. This requirement is part of the state's mandated reporting laws, which aim to protect vulnerable populations and ensure that any known or suspected abuse is reported." Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you about the progress on this House Bill. Jacqueline Texier-Calhoun Plymouth, New Hampshire

My name is Julie Lago, a Seabrook, NH resident and longtime mental health professional. I respectfully submit this testimony in strong support of HB 1438. As a mental health professional, I am guided every day by ethical obligations rooted in protection from harm, professional integrity, and responsibility to the broader community. HB 1438 aligns with those values by recognizing the clear connection between animal abuse, human safety, and mental health by establishing a duty to report when credible concerns arise. Animal abuse must be recognized as a reportable form of abuse and as a potential warning other significant areas of concern and opportunity for meaningful intervention. Mental health caseworkers and clinicians may be the first or only individuals to hear about these situations through client disclosures. This bill provides clear guidance for acting in good faith, allowing professionals to respond responsibly without fear of violating confidentiality or facing liability. HB 1438 does not ask clinicians to investigate or criminalize clients. It asks us to act ethically when there is reasonable knowledge or suspicion of harm. Much like existing mandates related to child abuse or imminent risk, this bill establishes a balanced, preventative approach that protects animals, while also creating opportunities for additional supports and interventions for individuals who may be struggling. I also view this bill as an opportunity to model ethical leadership. Our actions as professionals set an example not only for our colleagues, but for the communities we serve. They also set an example for our children. I want my children to grow up seeing that when we have knowledge of harm, we do not look away because of fear. We act with compassion, courage, and accountability. Clear statutory guidance helps remove uncertainty and fear from ethical decision-making, most importantly, mandated reporting. By protecting licensees who report in good faith, HB 1438 strengthens trust in the mental health system and reinforces a shared standard of care across New Hampshire. For these reasons, I urge the committee to recommend Ought to Pass on HB 1438. This bill reflects ethical responsibility, community safety, and a commitment to prevention and care.

I am a veterinarian and I support this bill which requires mental health professionals to report animal abuse information that they acquire from their clients, as they are now required to do in cases of child abuse. As veterinarians we are required to report abuse as well, as it should be. Domestic and wild animals are subjected to abuse and wild animals are protected under RSA 206:19-b Cruelty to Wild Animals, Fish, or Wild Birds. No being should be abused. Everyone should be doing all we can to prevent abuse. Please support this bill.

I am a veterinarian and I whole heartedly support this bill which requires mental health professionals to report animal abuse information that they acquire from their clients, as they are now required to do in cases of child abuse. Wild animals are also subjected to abuse and they are protected under RSA 206:19-b Cruelty to Wild Animals, Fish, or Wild Birds. No being should be abused. If you see or hear about abuse, you should report it. We all need to protect each other

I am a licensed clinical mental health counselor who has worked in New Hampshire for more than 15 years. I support this bill and would highly recommend that, like other mandatory reporting laws in New Hampshire, it be applicable to everyone. It seems like poor form to require only one small portion of people to be mandated reporters and would also highly limit the ability of a reported to maintain confidentiality in the report. Similarly, it seems harmful to have only the Board of Mental Health beholden to this; if someone sees me, I have to make a report, but if someone sees my coworker who is a Clinical Psychologist, she doesn't have to make a report? Or the psychiatrist? Or their primary care provider? Or a teacher? I think the verbiage needs to be updated to refer to anyone governed by the Board, not only someone licensed, so that it would include clinicians who are not yet licensed, but under supervision. I'm concerned that the language herein doesn't reference the RSA for the NH definitions of animal abuse/cruelty/neglect.

Please protect helpless animals who are being abused.

Animals have no voice to protect themselves from abuse and therefore rely on our voices. I strongly support this bill, which would provide a voice for abused animals, by requiring mental health professionals to report information that they acquire from their clients on abuse of domestic and wild animals.

People should be held responsible for any actins of abuse for wild animals or domesticated animals. RSA 206:19-b Cruelty to Wild Animals, Fish, or Wild Birds. says that they deserve the same protection as domestic animals. Birds, wolves ,foxes (ANY kind of wildlife) should be protected against any kind of abuse. We can't let people abuse animals for fun or any other reason. Help protect the future.

Animals in the care of people who abuse them should be reported.

HB 1438 will require mental health professionals to report animal abuse information that they acquire from their clients, as they are now required to do in cases of child abuse. Wild animals are also subjected to abuse and they are protected under RSA 206:19-b Cruelty to Wild Animals, Fish, or Wild Birds. HB 1438 will help ensure this protection.

We need this bill passed. Stop torture, starvation and abuse!

Please ensure you consider all public comments and not just the people that can appear before you. Our opinions matter. I fully support.. Please be reminded that often domestic abuse goes hand in hand with animal abuse and it is our duty to not only protect the human members of a family but it is our job and duty to protect the domestic animals as well as wild animals from abuse .It's a proven fact that animal abuse is often escalated to include abuse of minors abuse of elderly abuse of weak and abuse of others in society so if it can be curbed in any way and the perpetuators brought to Justice this bill will help make that happen. Please do the right thing and pass it.

I am writing in full support of HB 1438, which would require mental health professionals to report instances of animal abuse disclosed by their clients, similar to the existing requirements for reporting child abuse. This bill is a critical step in protecting not only domestic animals but also wild animals, who are safeguarded under laws like RSA 206:19-b against cruelty. By ensuring that abuse is reported, we can intervene earlier and provide greater protection for vulnerable animals. I believe this is a compassionate and necessary measure, and I urge you to support HB 1438. Thank you for considering my perspective.

Animal abuse is a sign of a bigger problem, whether it be child abuse or worse, a serial killer. If the individual committed a crime, the therapist is required to report it...isn't animal abuse illegal?

I strongly support this bill. No mental health provider should have to worry about being sued if they report animal abuse that a patient disclosed to them. In fact, providers should be required by law (as this bill proposes) to report animal abuse. This is best for everyone: best for the providers who would feel incredible trauma and guilt if they were NOT allowed to report, best by far for the animals who are defenseless and voiceless, and best in fact for the perpetrators of animal abuse to be held accountable so that they can get needed reformation. This bill is a no-brainer: please get this bill to the floor for a vote. I can't imagine the trauma, anxiety, and stress providers would face if they were not legally obligated to report animal abuse. These mental health providers are the helpers of society; they want to help everyone and being afraid to help animals that they know are suffering would create such a painful situation for them. Let's have a system that supports everyone and requires the reporting of animal abuse.

All animal abuse should be reported in every type of institution that cares for animals as well as public spaces where abuse can be proven via video recording.

Animals deserve protection from abuse. I support this bill.

It is well known and documented the attachment people have to their pets. This bill highlights such attachments and is needed to protect both pet guardians and their pets. Thank you.

Please help us protect these animals from unneeded abuse.