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HB 1710 · 2026 · House · Children and Family Law Committee

Child abduction prevention procedures

AI-generated

relative to procedures relating to child abduction.

Adopts the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act to govern actions seeking measures to prevent child abduction.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · March 26, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adopts the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act to govern actions seeking abduction prevention measures.

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

““Child-custody determination” means a judgment, decree, or other order of a court providing for the legal custody, physical custody, or visitation with respect to a child.”
RSA 458-F:2
“RSA 458-A:9, 458-A:10, and 458-A-11 shall apply to cooperation and communications among courts in proceedings under this chapter.”
RSA 458-F:3
“A court on its own motion may order abduction prevention measures in a child-custody proceeding if the court finds that the evidence establishes a credible risk of abduction of the child.”
RSA 458-F:4
“A petition under this chapter may be filed only in a court that has jurisdiction to make a child-custody determination with respect to the child at issue under RSA 458-A.”
RSA 458-F:5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jay MarkellRPrime
  • Rep. Debra DeSimoneRChair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Bob LynnRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Jodi NelsonRClerk· Children and Family Law

Also: Rep. Melissa LitchfieldR, Rep. Mark PearsonR

Public testimony

3 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

33% support67% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Privacy is important for every citizen, but especially for the youngest, most vulnerable population.”
— Michaela Janowski, Eppingsupports
“See https://granitegrok.com/new-england/nh/2026/01/nhfj-hb1710-hidden-agenda-it-is-a-red-herring-bill”
— Julie Smith, Epsomopposes
“Bill HB1710 is called the "Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act." It sounds good by the title, but it strengthens the power of the NH Family Court over families going through divorce proceedings.…”
— Amanda Bradford, Gorhamopposes

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 Pass9–7
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Feb 12, 2026HouseRoll callOught to PassAdopted198–161How they voted
    Overall
    55% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    191–896% yea
    Democrats
    7–1534% yea
  • Mar 17, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study25–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 26, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law1:13:56–1:17:393m 43slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Children and Family Law56:55–58:221m 27slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 12, 2026Floor debateHouse floor36:54–38:021m 8slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass — adopted, roll call 198-161; Referred to Finance
  • Mar 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division I1:49:34–1:51:331m 59slocated in the stream transcriptDivision I Work Session
  • Mar 17, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance35:53–38:382m 45slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Executive Session
  • Mar 26, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote

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. 32
  2. Jan 20, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/20/2026 11:00 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 9-7; RC) HC 6 P. 10
  5. Feb 2, 2026HouseMinority : Refer for Interim Study
  6. Feb 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA RC 198-161 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 14
  7. Feb 12, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/12/2026 HJ 4 P. 16
  8. Mar 13, 2026HouseDivision I Work Session: 03/13/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  9. Mar 17, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/17/2026 10:00 am GP 230
  10. Mar 17, 2026House: Refer for Interim Study 03/17/2026 (Vote 25-0; CC)
  11. Mar 26, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 03/26/2026 HJ 9 P. 3

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

  • Introducedversion

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