Committee Summary for Senate Children and Family Law (05/08/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB187 00:01:54.240 - 1:00:35 PM	Public Hearing	relative to restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child.	Belcher, Mike(R)[A]2024
HP132 2025-206s 00:14:37.360 - 1:13:18 PM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HP486 00:37:54.240 - 1:36:35 PM	Executive Session	relative to grandparents visitation rights	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HP187 00:42:42.560 - 1:41:23 PM	Executive Session	Unclear	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB243 2025-1733s 00:51:17.040 - 1:49:58 PM	Executive Session	relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families.	Spillane, James(R)[A]2024
HB273 2025-2011s 01:06:25.920 - 2:05:06 PM	Executive Session	relative to a parent's access to their minor child's library records.	Drago, Mike(R)[A]2024
HB560 2025-1644s 01:19:36.960 - 2:18:17 PM	Executive Session	relative to parental access to a minor child's medical records.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[A-]2022

HB187: Representative Belchure, Carol County, District 4 out of Wakefield Support00:01:54.240 - 1:00:35 PM; Representative Belchure introduced HB187-FN, explaining that it was inspired by a constituent's experience. The bill aims to amend current law to allow parents to file restraining orders on behalf of their children against individuals outside the household. Currently, children are required to file and argue for their own restraining orders, which Belchure finds unjust as it denies children a legal remedy available to adults. The fiscal note mentions potential costs associated with extending this remedy to children. Belchure emphasized that children should not be more vulnerable than adults by law.
HB187: Tracy Surles, East Wakefield, New Hampshire Support00:07:34.400 - 1:06:15 PM; Tracy Surles shared a personal experience where her child was sexually abused by a non-family member and non-household member. She was unable to file a restraining order on behalf of her child due to the current law's restrictions. Surles highlighted the trauma and confusion a child would face having to file their own legal documentation, especially if they are young or have intellectual disabilities. She argued that the law contradicts the definition of a minor, who is not considered to have full legal responsibility. Surles urged for the law to be amended to allow parents to protect their children, emphasizing the need for children to heal and for parents to fulfill their protective roles.
HP132 2025-206s: Committee Member Information Only00:14:37.360 - 1:13:18 PM; In the executive session, a committee member proposed an amendment to repeal RSA 165:20, which allows local welfare offices to seek reimbursement from surviving family members for burial costs. The discussion revealed that the amendment might not fully achieve the intended goal of a complete repeal. The committee considered the implications of repealing the entire section versus just the burial expenses part, noting that RSA 165:19, which deals with all forms of public assistance, would also be affected by a full repeal. The debate included concerns about the law's impact on distant relatives and the potential for civil actions against them.
HP132 2025-206s: Committee Member Information Only00:27:18.720 - 1:25:59 PM; The speaker expressed concerns about the sufficiency of weekly income to determine reasonable substance compatible with decency and health. They questioned who makes these determinations and highlighted potential issues with the current policy on welfare reimbursement, particularly concerning burial expenses and fuel assistance. They emphasized the need to repeal more sections of the law than just RSA 165:19, suggesting that the current amendment does not go far enough.
HP132 2025-206s: Ted Marsh from the Welfare Association Information Only00:29:14.480 - 1:27:55 PM; Ted Marsh discussed the amounts the welfare association goes after for food and heating assistance, specifically $50 for food and $100 for heating oil. He supported the idea of repealing more sections than just RSA 165:19, indicating that the current amendment might not be comprehensive enough.
HP132 2025-206s: Committee Member Information Only00:30:20.080 - 1:29:01 PM; The speaker debated the necessity of keeping certain sections of the law, particularly RSA 166:24, which deals with recovery of court costs for counties acting as cities. They proposed amendments to remove civil action language and discussed the implications of these changes on the ability of welfare departments to leverage calls to relatives.
HP132 2025-206s: Committee Member Information Only00:35:19.960 - 1:34:00 PM; The speaker proposed a motion to pass the bill as amended, specifying changes to the amendment, including keeping lines up until line 13 after RSA 165:34 and repealing the rest of the amendment. They discussed the importance of maintaining the welfare department's ability to call family members and voted on the amendment and the bill as amended.
HP486: Committee Member Information Only00:37:54.240 - 1:36:35 PM; The speaker discussed the complexities of grandparents visitation rights, highlighting a specific case where grandparents were involved and supportive but faced challenges due to family turmoil. They expressed concerns about potential negative effects of the bill, including the possibility of creating more problems than it solves. They suggested re-referring the bill for further review and potential amendment.
HP486: Committee Member Information Only00:39:11.040 - 1:37:52 PM; The speaker supported re-referring the bill, expressing a desire to work on it over the summer to address issues raised during the testimony. They suggested considering extended family in custody agreements and ensuring that courts factor in the child's best interests, including relationships with the extended family.
HP486: Committee Member Information Only00:41:19.880 - 1:40:00 PM; The speaker noted that the bill allows grandparents to file petitions even if both parents oppose it, which could lead to family conflict. They supported the re-referral of the bill to work on it further and ensure it addresses the issues presented.
HP187: Committee Member Information Only00:42:42.560 - 1:41:23 PM; The speaker discussed concerns about the language in the bill, particularly lines 8 and 9, which they felt might not be necessary. They highlighted scenarios where a minor might need to file a restraining order independently, especially if the abusive party is a parent or if the child is trying to protect their parent.
HP187: Committee Member Information Only00:43:47.400 - 1:42:28 PM; The speaker addressed the definition of abuse under the bill and its alignment with other states' definitions. They noted that the bill expands the ability to file restraining orders beyond just family or household members and discussed the implications of this change. They expressed sympathy for the family involved in the testimony and supported the bill's intent to enable adults to file restraining orders on behalf of minors.
HP187: Committee Member Information Only00:48:35.200 - 1:47:16 PM; The speaker clarified that the bill enables filing under any available restraining order statute on behalf of a child by striking certain language. They acknowledged the family's support and the need for further discussion on definitions of abuse.
HB243 2025-1733s: Committee Member Information Only00:51:17.040 - 1:49:58 PM; The speaker discussed the amendment to the bill, which removed the requirement to advise the person making a complaint about the legal consequences of a false report. They also adjusted the legal standard from 'knowingly' to align with New Hampshire law and specified the penalty as an unclassified misdemeanor. They discussed the implications of these changes on mandated reporters and the broader application of the bill.
HB243 2025-1733s: Committee Member Information Only00:52:27.680 - 1:51:08 PM; The speaker further clarified the changes to the bill, including striking duplicative language and ensuring the correct legal standards were used. They discussed the potential impact on other legislation and the importance of ensuring the bill's language was clear and effective.
HB243 2025-1733s: Committee Member Information Only01:01:44.160 - 2:00:25 PM; The speaker addressed concerns about the bill's impact on mandated reporters, particularly in schools, and emphasized that the amendment addressed these issues. They discussed the need for clarity in the bill's language to prevent false reports from being weaponized, especially in divorce cases.
HB273 2025-2011s: Committee Member Information Only01:06:25.920 - 2:05:06 PM; The speaker discussed a meeting with a library in Manchester, highlighting concerns about the original bill's language regarding the address of the minor's account. They proposed an amendment to clarify that the records should be available to the parent or legal guardian listed on the account. They also suggested changing the effective date to January 1, 2026, to allow time for implementation.
HB273 2025-2011s: Committee Member Information Only01:09:04.399 - 2:07:45 PM; The speaker supported the amendment, noting the need for clarity in verifying the identity of the parent or legal guardian requesting records. They discussed the potential impact of the bill on library operations, particularly for smaller libraries, and the need for a longer implementation period.
HB560 2025-1644s: Committee Member Information Only01:19:36.960 - 2:18:17 PM; The speaker discussed the original bill's intent to provide parental access to a minor's medical records, including online patient portals. They expressed concerns about the amendment, which removed the portal access, and debated the implications of this change. They highlighted the importance of parental access to the portal, especially for children under 12.
HB560 2025-1644s: Committee Member Information Only01:25:50.239 - 2:24:31 PM; The speaker discussed the amendment's language, particularly lines 21-22 and 14-17, which they felt were too broad. They argued that the amendment's standard of 'professional judgment' was not appropriate and could lead to inconsistencies. They also noted concerns about the amendment's impact on court-ordered treatments and the release of records.
HB560 2025-1644s: Committee Member Information Only01:34:36.880 - 2:33:17 PM; The speaker clarified the amendment's intent to align with HIPAA and reduce regulatory burden on providers. They discussed the language regarding court determinations and the need to cover protective orders from other states. They emphasized the importance of clear court orders to guide record release decisions.
HB560 2025-1644s: Committee Member Information Only01:40:00.320 - 2:38:41 PM; The speaker proposed a committee amendment to include RSA 173-B:3 to address protective orders from other states. They discussed the need to balance the bill's intent with practical implementation and suggested handling any necessary changes on the floor.