HB 1643 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee
Limiting guardian ad litem reports
AI-generatedrelative to the report of a guardian ad litem.
Removes the court's authority to request that a guardian ad litem's report propose an allocation of decision-making responsibility, a parenting plan, or a specific parenting schedule.AI-generated
Status
Vetoed by the governor — the override vote has not been held yet · June 22, 2026- ✓Introduced
- ✓House
- ✓Senate
- Governor
- Law
Governor's veto message
“The role of the guardian ad litem is to assist the court in determining the best interests of the child. To that end, under current law guardians ad litem are directed by the court to gather information and, only if specifically requested by the court, make certain recommendations relating to parenting plans, schedules, and decision-making responsibilities. Ultimately, the court is responsible for making determinations relative to a child's welfare. This bill would strip the authority of the court to request a guardian ad litem provide recommendations for consideration by the judge and limits information available to the court, which could impede its ability to ensure the best interests of a child.”
A passage from the Governor's veto message, quoted verbatim. The full message enters the record on veto day.
Analysis
This bill removes the authority of the court to request that the guardian ad litem's report propose an allocation of decision-making responsibility; a parenting plan; or a specific parenting schedule.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers.
“The guardian ad litem shall file a report of his or her investigation no later than the date of the final pretrial hearing.”
Sets the deadline by which the guardian ad litem must submit an investigative report in a parenting case.AI-generated
“The report shall not propose any of the following [unless specifically requested by the court]:”
The bracketed clause is the language struck from current law, removing the court's ability to request certain recommendations.AI-generated
“(a) An allocation of decision-making responsibility; (b) A parenting plan; or (c) A specific parenting schedule.”
Lists the three recommendations the guardian ad litem's report may no longer propose.AI-generated
“This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.”
Establishes when the change to guardian ad litem reports takes effect.AI-generated
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
- Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
- Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
- Rep. Sherman PackardRSpeaker of the House
- Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
- Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
- Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
- Sen. Daryl AbbasRChair· Children and Family Law
- Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR
Public testimony
12 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony
50% support50% oppose0% neutral
AgainstChildren need representation in cases affecting them
AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.
Read the argumentsIn their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“It’s important that children have representation in cases that affect their lives.”
“This bill has clear, substantive implications for child safety and judicial decision-making. It is not a technical cleanup — it meaningfully reduces the court’s access to expert guidance”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Hearings and debates
- Feb 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law3:36:01–4:05:5029m 49s
- Mar 3, 2026Executive sessionHouse Children and Family Law32:48–1:08:4435m 56s
- Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor54:12–58:053m 53sTimestamp located by Whisper transcription (this session video has no YouTube captions).
- Apr 2, 2026Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law11:30–21:3010m
- Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floor1:28:18–1:34:155m 57s
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Votes
yeanay- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–7Overall56% yea
- Mar 11, 2026HouseDivisionOught to PassAdopted182–149Overall55% yea
- Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass2–1Overall67% yea
- Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
Legislative history
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 29
- Feb 17, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/17/2026 01:30 pm GP 230
- Mar 2, 2026House==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session: 03/02/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 30
- Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Refer for Interim Study
- Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 182-149 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 66
- Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7
- Apr 2, 2026SenHearing: 04/02/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:40 am; SC 12
- Apr 23, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/23/2026; Vote 2-1; CC; SC 15A
- Apr 23, 2026SenHB 1643 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
- Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
- May 21, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/21/2026); SJ 14
- May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 34
- Jun 12, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 06/12/2026
Coverage
- HB 1643 (2026) | NH Legislation | Citizens CountCitizens Count
The bill would have removed the court's ability to require a guardian ad litem to propose an allocation of decision-making responsibility, a parenting plan, or a specific parenting schedule.AI-generated
Background reading
Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.
Custody X Change — Describes how a guardian ad litem investigates and reports on a child's best interests in custody cases.AI-generated
- What Does a Guardian Ad Litem Do?Explainer
Super Lawyers — Overview of the GAL role, appointment, and how recommendations feed into a judge's custody decision.AI-generated
- What Is A Guardian Ad Litem?NH context
Morneau Law (NH) — A New Hampshire family-law firm explains how GALs are appointed and used in the state's courts.AI-generated
- HB 1643 (2026) | NH LegislationNH context — nonpartisan
Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the NH bill limiting what a guardian ad litem's report may recommend in parenting cases.AI-generated
- Washington courts rarely discipline guardians ad litem accused of misconduct in custody casesCritics
Washington State Standard — An investigation into limited oversight of GALs and parents' difficulty challenging their reports.AI-generated
Inside Investigator — Examines a state GAL oversight committee's complaint record and questions its effectiveness.AI-generated
Documents (PDF)
- Introducedversion
- Adopted by both chambersversion
- Chaptered (final law)version
- Governor's veto statementveto
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.