NH House Tables Bill That Would Place Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence UNder 91-A3/12/2026
The Coalition has said public records requirements would put confidential information about its clients at risk and that that would jeopardize its federal grant funding.
In a statement after the vote, the Coalition’s public affairs director, Amanda Grady Sexton, said Gov. Kelly Ayotte had indicated she would veto the bill if it passed. “Her commitment sent a powerful message that the safety and privacy of victims must always be protected,” Grady Sexton said. Concord Monitor March 11, 2026 Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the Coalition, thanked Ayotte and the other lawmakers who stopped Read’s attack.
“We’re relieved that HB 1675 has been tabled and effectively defeated. This bill began as a vendetta driven by conspiracy theories and was originally designed to defund the Coalition, silence victims of crime, and punish the advocates who support them,” Grady Sexton said. “The amendment offered by Rep. [Erica] Layon did nothing to fix the fundamental problem. We are grateful that lawmakers ultimately chose to protect victims’ right to confidential services rather than advance personal disputes fueled by misinformation. We also appreciate that Gov. Kelly Ayotte made clear in advance that she would veto this harmful bill, reinforcing that New Hampshire will not compromise the safety and privacy of victims.” NHJournal March 11, 2026 Executive Director Lyn Schollett framed the amendment as worse than the original form, saying the Coalition and crisis centers handle confidential information about their clients. In writing grant applications and police trainings, the Coalition draws on personal stories of the people that it serves.
She also said the federal grants that make up the lion’s share of funding require that information to be kept confidential. “If 91-A were applied, it would be an absolute open-door fishing expedition for defense attorneys to try to get to that information,” Schollett said. “The result would be victims won’t come forward.” Concord Monitor March 10, 2026 |
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The 12 member programs of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide services to all victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and child abuse.
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Funding for this website was provided by The Corporate Fund.
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353
(603) 224-8893
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