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HB 335 · 2025 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Evaluations in contested custody cases

AI-generated

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.

Requires a court to order a risk assessment, and counseling if necessary, for a minor and their family when parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires a court to order a risk assessment and, if necessary, counseling, where parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“In contested divorce proceedings where a minor child under the age of 18 years rejects or is being withheld from a parent, the court shall order a risk assessment within 14 days of the initial petition for divorce, the cost of which shall be borne equally by the parties.”
RSA 461-A:6-a
“The risk assessment shall be performed by a clinical psychologist credentialed in scientific research of and applied knowledge in the following areas:”
RSA 461-A:6-a
“The risk assessment shall be performed within a reasonable period of time, but not to exceed 8 weeks after the order.”
RSA 461-A:6-a
“The court shall require the clinical psychologist to include in their report a diagnosis and treatment plan, and the court's order shall include a directive that appropriate medical standards and mandatory ethics codes of all psychologists shall apply.”
RSA 461-A:6-a

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lisa PostRPrimeClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. John PotucekRVice Chair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Rep. Lorie BallR, Rep. Sandra PanekR, Rep. Kristine PerezR, Rep. Yury PolozovR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

21% support79% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is necessary for the protection of the citizens of New Hampshire and for transparency”
— KRISTINE PEREZ, LONDONDERRYsupports
“When a child rejects a parent during a divorce, there can be many reasons, some of which should be treated or at the least, revealed. This bill offers thorough points of assessment by a capable psychologist.…”
— Hon. Betty Gay, Salemsupports
“Why do we need a law that mandates a whole entire family submit to psychiatric services when a family law judge could just order that anyway?…”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokeopposes
“If passed, this law would be financially and psychologically damaging to children and families.”
— Jennifer Beaudet, Goffstownopposes
“The Office of the Child Advocate has concerns about HB335 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, as written, including: *…”
— Lissa Mascio, Concord · NH Office of the Child Advocateopposes

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 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:57:58–3:59:501m 52slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:24:33–1:30:305m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 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. 15
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 01:45 pm LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 14 P. 3
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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