Children and Family Law

HB 652 abolishes the family division of the circuit court and creates a new Office of Family Mediation to handle family-related cases through voluntary mediation. The bill reassigns jurisdiction for divorce, child custody, support, and paternity cases to this new office, where parties may choose to use mediation services before going to court. If mediation does not fully resolve all issues, the unresolved matters would be referred to the superior court for adjudication. The bill also amends various statutes to remove references to the "family division" and update jurisdictional assignments.

SB 413 changes where New Hampshire minors aged 18 or older are held during ongoing delinquency cases. It amends RSA 169-B:14 to allow minors who turn 18 while their case is pending to be detained in county corrections facilities instead of juvenile detention facilities. This policy shift directly affects minors transitioning to adulthood during delinquency proceedings. The bill specifies the detention location change without altering eligibility for detention or case procedures.

SB 515 requires that children placed in specialized treatment facilities (qualified residential treatment programs) receive a qualified assessment within 30 days and have their placement reviewed by a court within 60 days. It directly affects children in juvenile court cases involving such placements, their families, and the courts handling these matters. The bill also allows court proceedings to continue if a child’s legal counsel cannot be secured after diligent efforts, while prioritizing issues not affecting the child’s expressed interests. These changes align state law with federal requirements under the Family First Prevention Services Act and aim to ensure timely oversight of children’s care. The bill has no fiscal impact on state or local government.

SB 456 establishes a commission to study children's health and safety issues in New Hampshire, including mental health services, school safety, and childhood diagnoses. The commission, composed of legislative members and 17 appointed experts (such as healthcare professionals, teachers, and parents), will examine specific topics like school mental health programs, youth homelessness, and exposure to harmful content. It must submit annual reports by November 1 to state leaders, including the governor and legislative leaders, with findings and recommendations. This bill creates a study body but does not enact new laws or allocate funding.

SB 412 allows courts to continue handling violations of conditional release conditions for two groups: minors found delinquent (who broke laws) and children in need of services (due to family or safety concerns). The bill explicitly permits courts to retain jurisdiction over these cases as long as violations are reported during the release period, rather than requiring immediate action. This change clarifies that courts can address breaches of conditions like curfews or school attendance throughout the entire release term. It directly affects juvenile court proceedings for these minors and the judges overseeing their cases. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.