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HB 1323 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Parental alienation and therapy prior authorization

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to parental alienation, limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, relative to children's mental health services for persons 18 years of age and younger.

Defines parental alienation and establishes standards for courts to consider claims of parental alienation in cases involving children and parental rights.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 2, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Defines parental alienation to mean a pattern of behavior, conduct, or speech which would damage the relationship of the child and a parent, resulting in the child's fear, negative perception, rejection, or hostility toward their other parent, and adds standards for considering claims of parental alienation in certain cases involving children and parental rights. II. Prohibits health carriers from requiring prior authorization for the first physical or occupational therapy visit in any new episode of care, and mandates approval of at least 8 medically necessary treatments after the initial evaluation before further review. This bill also preserves insurers' ability to deny claims deemed not medically necessary. III. Establishes the New Hampshire children's behavioral health association for the purpose of collecting assessments to fund payments to care management entities for the provision of childhood behavioral health services. The association is authorized to collect assessments from insurance carriers, stop loss carriers, and third-party administrators for fully insured and self-funded health plans. The assessment base would include covered lives in the state employee health plan, as well as pooled risk management programs under RSA 5-b. The funds provided for this purpose would be deposited in a dedicated fund administered by the insurance commissioner.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill As Amended by the Senate (2nd committee). Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“In any proceeding under this chapter in which a party alleges, and the court finds, that the other party has failed without just cause to obey a prior order, including cases of parental alienation, the court shall award reasonable costs and attorneys' fees to the prevailing party.”
RSA 461-A:15
“Implicit in this chapter shall be the recognition that the interests of a minor are generally best promoted in the minor's own home unless the best interests of the minor require substitution or supplementation of parental care and supervision.”
RSA 463:1
“A health carrier shall not require prior authorization for physical therapy and occupational therapy, as defined in RSA 328-A:2, XI and RSA 326-C:1, IV, respectively, for the first visit of each new episode of care.”
RSA 420-J:6-f
“"Assessable lives" means all children under 19 years of age residing in the state who have assessable coverage written or administered by an assessable entity, with the exception of children whose childhood behavioral health services are paid for under Medicaid.”
RSA 135-F:10

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Kimberly RiceRPrimeVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Sherman PackardRSpeaker of the House
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jason OsborneRMajority Leader
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Victoria SullivanRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip

Also: Rep. Jim KofaltR, Rep. Jay MarkellR, Rep. Scott BryerR

Public testimony

20 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

40% support60% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 1323. I am a father who has experienced firsthand how a child’s relationship with a loving, involved parent can be gradually dismantled through repeated interference and negative influence, even while court proceedings are ongoing.…”
— Dylan Goodwin, Rochestersupports
“(Submitted this online as I came down with the flu and could not attend in person.) Hello. My name is Debra Childs, and I’m here speaking in strong support of HB 1323 to define and recognize Parental Alienation in NH statutes. I am here as a child of divorce. As a mother.…”
— Debra Childs, Doversupports
“Relative to Parental Alienation Children and Family Law Committee January 13, 2026 Chairwoman DeSimone and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in strong support of HB 1323. I am writing as a parent and step-parent who has been…”
— Cassandra Knapp, Rochestersupports
“This type of legislature around parental alienation, a debunked concept created by a child pedophile, has been beaten dead year after year, often pushed by the same folks in NH's legislature and judiciary.…”
— Sarah Heidebrecht, Hanoveropposes
“This Bill as written has no limiting language. As written it says that anyone who makes a pattern of speech or conduct is guilty of parental alienation--it does not tie the conduct to either parent of the subject child.…”
— Melissa Penson-Mesa, Merrimackopposes
“I oppose HB1323 because it disrupts current law making family law cases more complex and more likely to be filed in the already overburdened courts. Let the existing law stand.”
— Mary Hakken-Phillips, Hanoveropposes

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
  • Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass9–6
    Overall
    60% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted197–157How they voted
    Overall
    56% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    195–398% yea
    Democrats
    2–1541% yea
  • Apr 16, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s2–1
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s2–1
    Overall
    67% yea
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1339sadopted
  • Apr 23, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1849s6–1
    Overall
    86% yea
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-1849sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-1982sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1981sadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1849s and #2026-1982s and #2026-1981sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • May 14, 2026HouseVoice voteHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1339s 2026-1849s 2026-1982s and 2026-1981s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone)adopted
  • May 21, 2026SenateVoice voteSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conferenceadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:13:44–1:14:571m 13slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law32:52–34:001m 8slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor11:17–26:2915m 12slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 197-157; Referred to Finance; Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f)
  • Mar 19, 2026Public hearingSenate Children and Family Law1:21:20–1:29:348m 14slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 16, 2026Floor debateSenate floor21:39–22:1637slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s; HB 1323 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; Special Order to the Next Session, Without Objection — adopted
  • Apr 23, 2026Floor debateSenate floor27:43–35:407m 57slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s; Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1339s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1339s 2026-1849s 2026-1982s and 2026-1981s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone) — adopted, voice vote; Speaker Appoints: Reps. Rice, Nelson, Hunt, Osborne
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floor11:18:28–11:19:361m 8slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1849s; Ought to Pass with Amendments #2026-1849s and #2026-1982s and #2026-1981s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-1849s — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor3:25:30–3:27:221m 52slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — adopted, voice vote; President Appoints: Senators Birdsell, Carson, Prentiss

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 15
  2. Jan 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/13/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  3. Jan 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 01/27/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  4. Jan 27, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 01/27/2026 (Vote 9-6; RC) HC 6 P. 10
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 197-157 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 9
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 12
  8. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 62
  9. Feb 5, 2026SenIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 4
  10. Mar 19, 2026SenHearing: 03/19/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:50 am; SC 10
  11. Apr 16, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s, 04/16/2026; Vote 2-1; CC; SC 14
  12. Apr 16, 2026SenHB 1323 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  13. Apr 16, 2026SenSpecial Order to the Next Session, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026; SJ 9
  14. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s, 04/23/2026, Vote 2-1; SC 15
  15. Apr 23, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1339s, AA, VV; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  16. Apr 23, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1339s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 04/23/2026; SJ 10
  17. May 14, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1849s, 05/14/2026; Vote 6-1; CC; SC 18
  18. May 14, 2026SenHB 1323 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  19. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1849s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  20. May 14, 2026SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2026-1982s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  21. May 14, 2026SenSen. Birdsell Floor Amendment # 2026-1981s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  22. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendments #2026-1849s and #2026-1982s and #2026-1981s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  23. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1339s 2026-1849s 2026-1982s and 2026-1981s and Requests CofC (Rep. DeSimone): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  24. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Rice, Nelson, Hunt, Osborne 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 148
  25. May 21, 2026SenSen. Abbas Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  26. May 21, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Birdsell, Carson, Prentiss; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  27. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  28. May 21, 2026HouseConferee Change: Rep. Ammon Replaces Rep. Hunt 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 32
  29. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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