The Coalition would like to congratulate Public Policy Director Amanda Grady and Public Policy Specialist Jennifer Durant who were named co-winners of the 2010 Honorable William D. Paine II Award. The two were honored on Thursday May 20th at The Governor’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence 16th annual conference which was held in Manchester at the Radisson Hotel. The Honorable William D. Paine II Award honors the memory of Presiding Justice for Northern Carroll County and former Carroll County Attorney, William D. Paine II. The award is presented to individuals who make an “outstanding commitment to collaborative multidisciplinary efforts to reduce domestic and sexual violence in New Hampshire.” Multiple nominations were submitted on Amanda and Jenny’s behalf, including one from State Police Colonel Robert Quinn. Both Amanda and Jenny work tirelessly at the legislature to strengthen New Hampshire’s laws regarding domestic and sexual violence. Their recent accomplishments include:

• The passage of HB 1634 which created a law making strangulation a felony level offense.
• The passage of SB 311 which to extended the civil statute of limitations in childhood sexual assault cases.
• The passage of HB 474 which criminalized human trafficking in New Hampshire.
• The passage of HB 1640 a piece of legislation that worked to put New Hampshire into compliance with the Federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
• Most recently the passage by both legislative bodies of HB 523 a bill that will require that DNA be taken from all convicted felons. Governor Lynch is expected to sign that bill into law later this year.