Bill Text - HB151 (2012)

(New Title) repealing the laws relative to marital masters.


Revision: Jan. 5, 2012, midnight

HB 151 – AS INTRODUCED

2011 SESSION

11-0128

09/04

HOUSE BILL 151

AN ACT relative to appointments and reappointments of marital masters.

SPONSORS: Rep. Rowe, Hills 6; Rep. Ulery, Hills 27; Rep. Itse, Rock 9; Rep. Gorman, Hills 23

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

ANALYSIS

This bill requires the executive council to hold a public hearing prior to its confirmation of the appointment of a marital master. The bill requires the governor and council to review the performance of a marital master and hold a public hearing prior to his or her reappointment. The bill also clarifies that reappointed marital masters shall serve for 3-year terms.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

11-0128

09/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eleven

AN ACT relative to appointments and reappointments of marital masters.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Appointments and Reappointments of Marital Masters. Amend RSA 490-D:7, II and III to read as follows:

II. For appointments of new marital masters, the administrative judge of the judicial branch family division, with the concurrence of the supreme court, shall submit to the governor the name of a nominee. The governor may accept the candidate nominated by the administrative judge and submit the candidate to the council for confirmation or may reject the candidate submitted by the administrative judge, and request a new nominee. Prior to confirmation, the council shall hold a public hearing. If the council rejects a candidate for confirmation, the governor shall request a new nominee.

III. Marital masters shall serve an initial term of 3 years. Subsequent reappointments shall be made in accordance with judicial branch family division rules. Prior to reappointment of a marital master, the governor and council shall review the performance of the marital master and hold a public hearing. Marital masters who are reappointed shall serve 3-year terms. During appointment terms, the authority and responsibility to conduct annual performance reviews, and termination, if necessary, shall be with the administrative judge of the judicial branch family division.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2012.