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HB 187 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Restraining orders for minor children

AI-generated

relative to restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child.

Expands the persons against whom a parent or guardian may seek a restraining order on behalf of a minor child where abuse is alleged.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 25, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill expands against whom a parent or guardian may seek a restraining order on behalf of a minor child where abuse is alleged.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“A parent or guardian may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of a minor, alleging abuse of the minor [by a member of the minor's family or household].”
Section 125:1
“The court shall not accept a petition under this section that is filed by a child's parent against the other parent.”
Section 125:1
“Any order issued under this chapter may be in addition to an order issued under RSA 173-B and any proceeding initiated under this chapter may be consolidated with a proceeding under RSA 173-B.”
Section 125:1
“A guardian may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of his or her ward, alleging abuse of the ward [by a member of the ward's family or household].”
Section 125:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Mike BelcherRPrime

Rep. Len TurcotteR

Public testimony

105 signed in online · 25 wrote testimony

95% support5% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill is an important step in protecting minors from perpetrators of violence when they are unrelated to the minor. I am in favor of expanding the rights of parents and guardians to seek protective orders on behalf miners, as outlined in this bill.”
— Gwynne Pollard, Sanbornvillesupports
“Parents should be able to protect their children by getting restraining orders or other legal help on behalf of their children if necessary.”
— Aryanna Davis, Barringtonsupports
“A parent or guardian should have full authority to take all actions to protect an injured child.”
— Angelicq Murphy, Warrensupports
“We need to protect children from perpetrators outside the home, not just family members. They deserve to feel protected from anyone that threatens their safety, well being and innocence.”
— Suzanne Small, Tiltonopposes
“This bill is vague in defining abuse. It is vague on who can petition. This bill needs more definition in its terms. As it is now, a person, any person, who thinks certain books or activities are ‘abusive’ can petition for a restraint.…”
— Linda Tanner, sunapeeopposes

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
  • Feb 11, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 2, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass25–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 10, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Jun 12, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 11, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law48:12–54:326m 20slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor31:22–32:341m 12slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 14, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I2:53–7:184m 25slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • Apr 1, 2025Public hearingHouse Finance13:52–16:472m 55slocated in the stream transcriptExecutive Session
  • Apr 10, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 8, 2025Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law37:25–43:035m 38slocated in the stream transcriptHearing; The Committee will meet at 2:00 p.m. or 15 minutes following the end of Session
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 12, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled 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. 9
  2. Feb 11, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/11/2025 10:20 am LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/11/2025 10:20 am LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 11, 2025House: Ought to Pass 02/11/2025 (Vote 14-0; RC) HC 14 P. 17
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 25
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseReferred to Finance 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 25
  7. Mar 14, 2025HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/14/2025 10:00 am LOB 212
  8. Apr 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/01/2025 10:00 am LOB 210-211
  9. Apr 2, 2025House: Ought to Pass 04/02/2025 (Vote 25-0; CC) HC 19 P. 11
  10. Apr 10, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/10/2025 HJ 12 P. 4
  11. Mar 27, 2025SenIntroduced 03/27/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 10
  12. May 8, 2025SenHearing: 05/08/2025, Room 103, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 20
  13. May 8, 2025SenThe Committee will meet at 2:00 p.m. or 15 minutes following the end of Session, 05/08/2025; SC 20
  14. May 15, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 05/15/2025; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 21A
  15. May 15, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  16. Jun 12, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/12/2025); SJ 17
  17. Jun 12, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/12/2025 HJ 17 P. 24
  18. Jun 23, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/23/2025; Chapter 125; eff. 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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