SB574, as amended, passed the House of Representatives 352-7. This important legislation allows children to have equal access to both their fit, willing, and able parents after separation or divorce.
Passing SB574 protects the Constitutional and God-given rights of parents and the rights of children to be parented.
Representative Lorie Ball-Salem (Rock. 25) could not have said it better, “This amendment continues to provide the exact same protection to victims of domestic violence, abuse, and neglect and does not prevent parents from creating a parenting plan that works for them. I implore my esteemed colleagues in the House to show our constituents that we have heard their pleas.”
We want to thank Gayle Drobat for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
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This legislation, current state law under RSA461-A Parental Rights and Responsibilities as well as numerous other state laws, addresses the stakeholders concerns regarding domestic violence, abuse and neglect. The court has the obligation to uphold the laws that have been legislated.
Amendment 2024-1853h, states:
Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Statement of Purpose. Amend RSA 461-A:2, I(a) to read as follows:
(a) Support [frequent and continuing contact] approximately equal parenting time
between each child and both parents.
3 Determination of Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Best Interest. Amend RSA 461-A:6, I-
a to read as follows:
I-a. If the court concludes that [frequent and continuing contact] approximately equal
parenting time between each child and both parents is not in the best interest of the child, the
court shall make findings supporting its order.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2025.
We commend representative Lisa Post (Hills. 4) and the numerous co-sponsors for bringing this important legislation forward.
Representing the people and bi-partisan support got this passed in the House overwhelmingly on two separate occasions this session. HB185 passed 202-172, and SB574, with amendment 1853h, passed 352-7.
We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge previous efforts on this same issue. We recognize previous and current members of the New Hampshire Legislature, the Honorable Betty Gay of Salem, the Honorable and Commissioner of Education – Frank Edelblut (Hills. 38) -HB1118 (2016), Chairman of Children and Family Law Committee – Representative Mark Pearson (Rock. 34) HB 236 (2017), Representative Jim Kofalt (Hills. 4) HB1382 (2022), Representative JD Bernardy (Rock. 36) for recognizing the state of the family court and bringing investigation forward in HR14 and the years of dedication Representative David Bickford (Straf. 3) has committed to reforming outdated laws to better protect New Hampshire children and families.
