The recent audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights paints a concerning picture of inefficiency and understaffing, leading to significant delays in addressing discrimination complaints across multiple sectors, including employment, housing, and education.
With over half of the agency’s staff positions unfilled, the backlog of cases is growing, and investigations are taking longer than ever.
It now takes an average of 18 months to assign a case to an investigator and over two years to close a case, with many complainants unable to seek justice due to the expiration of the three-year statute of limitations.
The report also revealed that the commission operates under outdated rules, and there have been failures in training staff and properly processing complaints, leading to cases being dismissed prematurely or critical evidence being lost.
These delays are particularly concerning for those seeking justice in cases of racial or other forms of discrimination.
One key issue raised was the high turnover within the commission, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic and staff cuts over the years.
Despite efforts to address the backlog, including the recent addition of six staff positions, more support is needed to ensure timely and effective handling of complaints.
The importance of the commission’s work has only increased, especially with concerns about federal civil rights enforcement possibly weakening under the Trump administration. Legislators are now calling for stronger oversight and accountability to make sure progress is made.
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