Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA
“Children and Family Law — New Hampshire House.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/committee/H37. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). Children and Family Law — New Hampshire House. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/committee/H37
Chicago
Granite Record. “Children and Family Law — New Hampshire House.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/committee/H37.
BibTeX
@misc{committee-H37, title = {Children and Family Law — New Hampshire House}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/committee/H37}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

Children and Family Law

The House Committee on Children and Family Law, chaired by Debra DeSimone.

It shall be the duty of the Committee on Children and Family Law to consider matters relating to children and youth, their rights, obligations, and protection, including all matters covered by RSA 169-B, 169-C, and 169-D, divorce, custody and child support; the application of criminal laws and sentencing to children and such other matters as may be referred to it.

Members

Bills Referred, 2025-2026

  • HB 10-FN: establishing a parental bill of rights. (Signed into law)
  • HB 170: relative to the division of military pensions during divorce proceedings. (Killed)
  • HB 177: relative to children in placement pursuant to an episode of treatment for which the department of health and human services has a financial responsibility. (Signed into law)
  • HB 178: relative to foster parent representation of foster children with disabilities. (Signed into law)
  • HB 187-FN: relative to restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child. (Signed into law)
  • HB 204: relative to criteria for reporting child support delinquencies to federal agencies. (Signed into law)
  • HB 213: relative to wage garnishment for child support. (Signed into law)
  • HB 243-FN: relative to relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families, and relative to the maternal mortality review committee, electric vehicle charging stations and fees for annual testing by the division of weights and measures, and relative to the acceptance of portraits of Senator Sylvia Larsen and Senator Jeb Bradley for the state house. (Died: conferees could not agree)
  • HB 285-FN: relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities. (Killed)
  • HB 320-FN: relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. (Signed into law)
  • HB 322: allowing a parent paying child support to retain the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on their tax return. (Killed)
  • HB 325: eliminating term and reimbursement alimony in divorces granted on grounds of irreconcilable differences. (Killed)
  • HB 335-FN: requiring courts to order a minor and their family have psychological evaluations and, if necessary, counseling, where parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter. (Killed)
  • HB 350-FN: requiring that all family division hearings be video and audio recorded and broadcast live. (Killed)
  • HB 430: reducing the retention period for records of unfounded abuse and neglect reports by the department of health and human services. (Killed)
  • HB 433-FN: making 17 the age of consent for marriage if either party is active duty military and removing language regarding age waivers for marriage registration records, since age waivers are no longer issued in New Hampshire. (Killed)
  • HB 478: establishing a foster care oversight subcommittee within the oversight commission on children's services. (Signed into law)
  • HB 486-FN: relative to grandparents' visitation rights. (Referred for interim study)
  • HB 493: requiring education on child abuse and neglect for certain healthcare providers as a condition for licensure. (Killed)
  • HB 518-FN: requiring the commissioner of the department of health and human services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs incurred by the division for children, youth and families. (Died when the session ended)
  • HB 523-FN: relative to the office of child advocate's oversight of restraint and seclusion reports. (Withdrawn)
  • HB 543: establishing a committee to study how the family division customarily treats accusations of domestic violence and to study current family division practices relative to the right to testify and right to submit evidence. (Killed)
  • HB 553-FN: relative to the definition of abuse and neglect and conditions triggering a rebuttable presumption of harm in abuse and neglect cases. (Died on the table)
  • HB 560: relative to parental access to a minor child's medical records, relative to refusal of consent to testing to determine alcohol concentration and penalties for aggravated driving while intoxicated, defining pre-sequestration timber tax revenue, establishing a moratorium on carbon sequestration and establishing a commission to study the effects of carbon sequestration in New Hampshire forests upon state and local tax revenue, effective forest management, and the health of New Hampshire’s logging industry. (Died: conferees could not agree)
  • HB 652-FN: abolishing the family division, creating the office of family mediation, and reassigning the jurisdiction of the family division. (Died on the table)
  • HB 661-FN: relative to the department of health and human services management of social security payments, supplemental security income payments, and veterans benefits for children in foster care. (Signed into law)
  • HB 775-FN: directing the department of health and human services to issue a request for proposals for supervised visitation centers. (Died on the table)
  • HB 1036: relative to the maximum duration of term alimony. (Killed)
  • HB 1039: relative to the contents of parenting plans. (Signed into law)
  • HB 1185-FN: relative to the offense of endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent. (Killed)
  • HB 1206: clarifying the equity jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division. (Killed)
  • HB 1210: relative to child tax credit allocation in child support cases. (Killed)
  • HB 1215: relative to supporting the preferred method of communication of an individual with a communication disability and relative to transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities. (Died: conferees could not agree)
  • HB 1225: relative to the definition of adjusted gross income with respect to child support guidelines. (Referred for interim study)
  • HB 1228: relative to the enforcement of alimony orders and relative to waivers of alimony. (Signed into law)
  • HB 1229: relative to waivers of alimony. (Referred for interim study)
  • HB 1241: relative to the calculation of income for purposes of support orders in divorce proceedings. (Killed)
  • HB 1263: relative to the definition of disposable military retirement pay and the suspension of alimony obligations. (Killed)
  • HB 1323-FN: relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger. (Died: conferees could not agree)
  • HB 1376: relative to a parent's ability to raise their child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex and relative to breast surgeries for minors. (Signed into law)
  • HB 1377: allowing parents to make alternative caregiver arrangements for their children without transferring guardianship. (Died when the session ended)
  • HB 1378: relative to parental access to a minor child's electronic medical records. (Killed)
  • HB 1404: establishing a study committee to study the equitable division of property in divorce proceedings. (Referred for interim study)
  • HB 1460-FN: prohibiting the sale of a child's personal data. (Signed into law)
  • HB 1565-FN: relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families, relative to owner's project manager services for school building aid projects, and relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor. (Vetoed, override failed)
  • HB 1643: relative to the report of a guardian ad litem. (Vetoed, override failed)
  • HB 1687-FN: removing the power of courts within the judicial branch family division to issue criminal determinations, judgments, and penalties. (Killed)
  • HB 1710-FN: relative to procedures relating to child abduction. (Referred for interim study)
  • HB 1717-FN: relative to the jurisdiction of the circuit court, family division. (Killed)
  • HB 1757: prohibiting the remedy of alimony for marriages that existed for six years or less. (Killed)
  • HB 1762-FN: relative to the calculation of child support. (Killed)
  • HB 1770-FN: relative to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities and establishing a presumption of equal parenting time. (Killed)
  • HB 1771-FN: removing the prospective repeal of child care staffing ratios and the associated waiver system and requiring the department of health and human services to provide certain notice regarding availability of the waiver. (Signed into law)
  • HB 1779-FN: supporting the cultural background of children placed in foster care. (Referred for interim study)
  • SB 22-FN: relative to disclosure of criminal history and criminal records to the child care licensing unit of the department of health and human services. (Signed into law)
  • SB 23-FN: expanding the crime of endangering the welfare of a child. (Killed)
  • SB 72-FN: establishing a parental bill of rights. (Died: the chambers did not agree on a version)
  • SB 77-FN: providing children in delinquency and children in need of services (CHINS) cases the identical types of psychological evaluations as children in child protection matters. (Signed into law)
  • SB 161: making technical corrections to statutes governing out-of-state placements for children. (Signed into law)
  • SB 269: removing references to matrimonial age and time waivers in the vital records act. (Signed into law)
  • SB 278-FN: including qualifying convictions from other states as grounds for termination of parental rights petitions. (Signed into law)
  • SB 412: relative to the conditional release of delinquent minors and children in need of services. (Signed into law)
  • SB 413: relative to the detention of a minor attaining the age of 18 during the pendency of a delinquency action. (Signed into law)
  • SB 456: establishing the commission for children's futures. (Signed into law)
  • SB 515-FN: relative to judicial determinations related to children placed in a qualified residential treatment program in certain juvenile matters and appointment of counsel in certain circumstances. (Signed into law)
  • SB 608-FN: relative to family caregiver support in certain programs and child care support for kinship caregivers. (Signed into law)

And 761 bills in 13 earlier terms.

Recent Meetings

  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on October 21, 2026 for executive sessions on HB 1404 and HB 1779-FN. It also held subcommittee work sessions on HB 1404 and HB 1779-FN. On HB 1404 it recommended refer for interim study, 14–0. On HB 1779-FN it recommended refer for interim study, 15–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on April 7, 2026 for a public hearing on SB 456. It also held an executive session on SB 456. On SB 456 it recommended ought to pass, 10–2.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 31, 2026 for executive sessions on SB 608-FN and SB 515-FN. On SB 608-FN it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 15–0. On SB 515-FN it recommended ought to pass, 16–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 24, 2026 for public hearings on SB 412, SB 413, SB 515-FN and SB 608-FN. It also held executive sessions on SB 412 and SB 413. On SB 412 it recommended ought to pass, 14–0. On SB 413 it recommended ought to pass, 14–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 3, 2026 for executive sessions on HB 1377, HB 1643, HB 1263, HB 1378, HB 1565-FN, HB 1757, HB 1241 and HB 1771-FN. On HB 1377 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 9–7, with a minority recommending ought to pass. On HB 1643 it recommended ought to pass, 9–7, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 1263 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 15–1. On HB 1565-FN it recommended ought to pass, 9–7, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate. On HB 1757 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 16–0. On HB 1241 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 15–1. On HB 1771-FN it recommended ought to pass, 16–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 2, 2026 for executive sessions on HB 1039, HB 1206, HB 1215, HB 1377, HB 1643, HB 1404, HB 1687-FN, HB 1770-FN and HB 518-FN. On HB 1039 it recommended ought to pass, 14–0. On HB 1206 it recommended ought to pass, 14–0. On HB 1215 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 14–0. On HB 1377 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 9–7, with a minority recommending ought to pass. On HB 1643 it recommended ought to pass, 9–7, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 1404 it recommended refer for interim study, 14–0. On HB 1687-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 13–1. On HB 1770-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 14–0. On HB 518-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 13–1.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 24, 2026 for public hearings on HB 1241, HB 1263, HB 1378, HB 1565-FN, HB 1757 and HB 1771-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 17, 2026 for public hearings on HB 1039, HB 1206, HB 1215, HB 1377, HB 1404, HB 1643, HB 1687-FN and HB 1770-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 10, 2026 for a public hearing on HB 1376. It also held executive sessions on HB 1036, HB 1225, HB 1228, HB 1229, HB 1779-FN, HB 652-FN and HB 1376. On HB 1036 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 15–0. On HB 1225 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 9–6, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate. On HB 1228 it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On HB 1229 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 15–0. On HB 1779-FN it recommended refer for interim study, 15–0. On HB 652-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 12–2, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 1376 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 9–7, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 3, 2026 for public hearings on HB 1036, HB 1210, HB 1225, HB 1228, HB 1229 and HB 1779-FN. It also held an executive session on HB 1210. On HB 1210 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 14–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on January 27, 2026 for executive sessions on HB 1323-FN, HB 1717-FN, HB 1762-FN, HB 1710-FN, HB 1185-FN and HB 1460-FN. On HB 1323-FN it recommended ought to pass, 9–6, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate. On HB 1717-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 15–0. On HB 1762-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 16–0. On HB 1710-FN it recommended ought to pass, 9–7, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 1185-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 16–0. On HB 1460-FN it recommended ought to pass, 9–7, with a minority recommending refer for interim study.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on January 20, 2026 for public hearings on HB 1185-FN, HB 1710-FN and HB 1460-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on January 13, 2026 for public hearings on HB 1323-FN, HB 1717-FN and HB 1762-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on September 30, 2025 for executive sessions on HB 652-FN and HB 518-FN. On HB 652-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 12–2, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 518-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 13–1.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on May 6, 2025 for executive sessions on SB 72-FN and SB 269. On SB 72-FN it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 9–7, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate. On SB 269 it recommended ought to pass, 14–1.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on April 15, 2025 for a public hearing on SB 269.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on April 8, 2025 for public hearings on SB 22-FN, SB 23-FN, SB 161, SB 77-FN, SB 278-FN and SB 72-FN. It also held executive sessions on SB 23-FN, SB 161, SB 22-FN, SB 77-FN and SB 278-FN. On SB 23-FN it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On SB 161 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 14–0. On SB 22-FN it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On SB 77-FN it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On SB 278-FN it recommended ought to pass, 15–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 18, 2025 for public hearings on HB 518-FN and HB 775-FN. It also held an executive session on HB 775-FN. On HB 775-FN it recommended ought to pass, 16–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 4, 2025 for public hearings on HB 493 and HB 543. It also held executive sessions on HB 10-FN, HB 430, HB 661-FN, HB 652-FN, HB 285-FN, HB 560, HB 493, HB 543 and HB 553-FN. On HB 661-FN it recommended ought to pass, 16–0. On HB 652-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 12–2, with a minority recommending refer for interim study. On HB 285-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 14–0. On HB 560 it recommended ought to pass, 2–1. On HB 493 it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 14–0. On HB 553-FN it recommended ought to pass with amendment, 10–4, with a minority recommending inexpedient to legislate.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on March 3, 2025 for a subcommittee work session on HB 553-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 18, 2025 for public hearings on HB 285-FN, HB 177 and HB 10-FN. It also held executive sessions on HB 177, HB 320-FN, HB 335-FN, HB 350-FN, HB 433-FN and HB 486-FN. On HB 177 it recommended ought to pass, 13–0. On HB 320-FN it recommended ought to pass, 14–0. On HB 335-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 14–0. On HB 350-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 14–0. On HB 486-FN it recommended ought to pass, 14–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 11, 2025 for public hearings on HB 430, HB 187-FN, HB 560, HB 661-FN and HB 652-FN. It also held an executive session on HB 187-FN. On HB 187-FN it recommended ought to pass, 14–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 10, 2025 for a subcommittee work session on HB 553-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on February 4, 2025 for public hearings on HB 486-FN, HB 320-FN, HB 335-FN and HB 350-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on January 28, 2025 for public hearings on HB 322, HB 325, HB 433-FN, HB 478 and HB 553-FN. It also held executive sessions on HB 322, HB 478 and HB 325. On HB 322 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 16–0. On HB 478 it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On HB 325 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 16–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on January 21, 2025 for public hearings on HB 170, HB 178, HB 204, HB 213 and HB 243-FN. It also held executive sessions on HB 170, HB 204, HB 213, HB 178 and HB 243-FN. On HB 170 it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 15–1. On HB 204 it recommended ought to pass, 14–0. On HB 213 it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On HB 178 it recommended ought to pass, 15–0. On HB 243-FN it recommended that the House find it inexpedient to legislate, 10–6, with a minority recommending ought to pass.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on October 22, 2024 for executive sessions on HB 1269-FN and HB 1590-FN. On HB 1269-FN it recommended refer for interim study, 14–0. On HB 1590-FN it recommended refer for interim study, 13–0.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on September 25, 2024 for a subcommittee work session on HB 1269-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on September 17, 2024 for a subcommittee work session on HB 1590-FN.
  • The Committee on Children and Family Law met on September 4, 2024 for a subcommittee work session on HB 1269-FN.

Sources