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HB 486 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Grandparents' visitation rights

AI-generated

relative to grandparents' visitation rights.

Expands the criteria a court may consider when determining grandparent visitation rights.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands criteria for a court's consideration of grandparent visitation.

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

“Grandparents, whether adoptive or natural, may petition the court for reasonable rights of visitation with the minor child as provided in paragraph III.”
RSA 461-A:13
“The provisions of this section shall not apply in cases where access by the grandparent or grandparents to the minor child has been restricted for any reason prior to or contemporaneous with the divorce, death, relinquishment or termination of parental rights, or other cause of the absence of a nuclear family.”
RSA 461-A:13
“The court shall consider the following criteria in making an order relative to a grandparent's visitation rights to the minor child:”
RSA 461-A:13
“Any such other factors as the court may find appropriate or relevant to the petition for visitation.”
RSA 461-A:13

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jodi NelsonRPrimeClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Lisa PostRClerk· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Lorie BallR, Rep. Jay MarkellR, Rep. Sandra PanekR, Rep. Sheila SeidelR

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 15, 2025SenateCommittee report: Rereferred to Committee3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 15, 2025SenateVoice voteRereferred to Committeeadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Referred to Interim Study3–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026SenateVoice voteRefer to Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 4, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law5:17–7:592m 42slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law2:15:44–2:21:476m 3slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 3, 2025Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law3:17:09–3:18:171m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 15, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Rereferred to Committee; Rereferred to Committee — adopted, voice vote
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study; Refer to Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 3 P. 12
  2. Feb 4, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 02/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
  3. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
  4. Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 02/18/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 14 P. 4
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 3
  6. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7
  7. Apr 3, 2025SenHearing: 04/03/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 15
  8. May 15, 2025Sen: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025, Vote 3-0, CC; SC 21A
  9. May 15, 2025SenRereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13
  10. Jan 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 46
  11. Jan 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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