A bi-partisan group of lawmakers will meet Monday morning at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester to explore ways to cut costs at the state’s juvenile detention center.
The facility was designed for 144 children, but Senate Finance Chair Jeannie Forrester of Meredith says the population is typically between 40 to 60 youth.
Forrester says this morning’s meeting will include a tour of the center, with the hope of figuring out a way to make better use of the space.
“Can we section it off so that we so that we still have those beds available for that small population, then do something with the rest of the facility that addresses the other issues we’re seeing in New Hampshire relative to needing more treatment facilities for mental health and substance abuse?”
House and Senate lawmakers had cut $5.1 million from the center in the next two-year state budget proposal, which was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Maggie Hassan.
Forrester says the group will craft a plan to reduce costs at the center while lawmakers work to finalize a state budget.