Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 285 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Parental mental health as custody factor

AI-generated

relative to determination of parental rights and responsibilities.

Adds known mental health conditions of a parent to the list of factors a court must consider in determining parental rights and responsibilities.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 13, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds to the list of factors for a court to consider in determining parental rights and responsibilities any known mental health conditions of the parent.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lorie BallRPrime

Public testimony

221 signed in online · 44 wrote testimony

3% support96% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support all legislation that maintain parental rights. I support this bill. Cindy Bennett, State Rep Raymond NH”
— Cindy Bennett, Raymondsupports
“The OCA is opposed to HB 285, as it is unnecessary. The Courts already have the ability to consider any factor in determining the best interest of children.…”
— Lissa Mascio, Concord · NH Office of the Child Advocateopposes
“This addition is unnecessary, as the law already provides for this consideration. Further, it is also likely to draw more attention to and to ignite more prolonged litigation related to obtaining a parent's medical records and accusations that are unfounded.”
— Sarah Heidebrecht, Hanoveropposes
“This bill is deeply flawed and will only encourage bitter soon-to-be ex-spouses to weaponize unverified mental health claims against their co-parents.…”
— Sara Locke, Merrimackopposes
“We are looking for lawyers to sue the State for promoting Divorce, Single Parents that have caused children to have serious life-long problems/trauma/gender identity problems.…”
— WILLIAM FORTUNE, Leeneutral

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 13, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law28:22–31:483m 26slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:55:04–4:02:067m 2slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 13, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 2 P. 13
  2. Feb 18, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/18/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  3. Mar 4, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2025 11:00 am LOB 206-208
  4. Mar 4, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/04/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC)
  5. Mar 13, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/13/2025 HJ 8 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.