Concord, NH – Tonight Attorney General John M. Formella released the following statement following the Senate's passage of HB 1677:

"The passage of HB1677 by the Senate this evening represents an important and historic moment in New Hampshire history, and a landmark step in helping victims of abuse. This bill creates a $100 million settlement fund that is unprecedented in our State, and an alternative option for victims of abuse at the former Youth Development Center that provides a more victim centered and trauma informed process than traditional litigation. No victim is required to use this process, but it is my hope that this bill will provide an avenue for much needed healing and compensation for many of these victims.

Once this bill is signed, the Department of Justice will work to implement the process that the bill lays out in a fair, transparent, and collaborative manner. Our criminal investigation of allegations of abuse at the former Youth Development Center will also continue as we seek to bring the perpetrators of these alleged crimes to justice.

I thank the House and Senate for supporting this bill. I am incredibly proud of our State for stepping forward to do the right thing and for taking unprecedented action to provide more options for these victims."