Revision: March 14, 2016, midnight
\t \t\tHB 1118 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
9Mar2016... 0801h
2016 SESSION
\t16-2126
\t05/09
HOUSE BILL\t1118
AN ACT\trelative to the determination of parental rights and responsibilities and establishing a presumption in favor of shared residential responsibility.
SPONSORS:\tRep. Edelblut, Hills. 38
COMMITTEE:\tChildren and Family Law
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
\tThis bill:
\tI. Provides a list of factors the court may consider in determining parental rights and responsibilities.
\tII. Establishes a presumption in favor of shared parental rights, including residential responsibility.
\tIII. Permits the court to modify parental rights and responsibilities based on the best interest of the child.
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Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.
\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
9Mar2016... 0801h\t16-2126
\t05/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Sixteen
AN ACT\trelative to the determination of parental rights and responsibilities and establishing a presumption in favor of shared residential responsibility.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
\t1 Determination of Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Best Interest. RSA 461-A:6, I is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
\t\tI.(a) In determining parental rights and responsibilities and shared residential rights and responsibilities, the court shall be guided by the best interests of the child, and shall consider the following factors:
\t\t\t\t(1) An agreement made by the parties, including but not limited to, a parenting plan pursuant to RSA 461-A:4.
\t\t\t\t(2) A court finding by a preponderance of evidence of:
\t\t\t\t\t(A) Abuse, as defined in RSA 173-B:1, I or RSA 169-C:3, II, with consideration to the impact of abuse or domestic violence on the child.
\t\t\t\t\t(B) Neglect, as defined in RSA 169-C:3, XIX.
\t\t\t\t\t(C) Interference with custody as defined in RSA 633:4.
\t\t\t\t\t(D) Incarceration of a parent, with due regard for the reason and the length of incarceration, as well as any unique issues that may arise as a result of incarceration.
\t\t\t\t\t(E) The ability and disposition of each parent to make joint decisions concerning the welfare of the child, foster a positive relationship and as well as frequent and continuing contact with the other parent as shown by allowing and promoting such contact, including whether such contact is likely to result in harm to the child or to a parent.
\t\t\t\t\t(F) The relationship of the child with any other person who may significantly affect the child.
\t\t\t\t\t(G) Any other additional factors the court deems relevant.
\t\t\t(b) In the absence of an agreement between the parties, or a determination of the parental rights and responsibilities for each child under subparagraph (a), the court shall issue an order that provides for continuing contact between each parent and the minor child or children and for the shared parenting responsibilities of child-rearing and encouraging the love, affection, and contact between the minor child or children and the parents regardless of marital status, unless the court makes explicit findings that such contact is not in the best interest of the child. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that shared parenting and shared residential rights and responsibilities are in the best interest of the child or children.
\t\t\t(c) An objection by one parent to a proposed parenting arrangement, or an allegation that co-parenting is impossible, shall not be the sole basis for refusing the entry of an order that the court determines is in the best interest of the minor child. The court shall place in the record the specific factors and findings which justify any parenting arrangement not agreed to by both parents. This provision may be waived if agreed to by both parties.
\t2 New Paragraph; Modification of Parental Rights and Responsibilities. Amend RSA 461-A:11 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
\t\tI-a. The court may modify an order concerning parental rights and responsibilities if the moving party establishes that circumstances have changed substantially since the last parenting order was issued and the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that modification of the order is in the best interests of the child. Modification of a parenting order under this paragraph may be requested by either party.
\t3 New Paragraph; Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Definition of Shared Parenting. Amend RSA 461-A:1 by inserting after paragraph VII the following new paragraph:
\t\tVIII. “Shared parenting” means an arrangement by which:
\t\t\t(a) A child has comparable time with each parent appropriate to (i) the developmental age and status of the child, (ii) the child’s routine schedule of school and other activities, (iii) holidays and other child-centered special events, and (iv) the parent’s availability to fulfill parenting responsibilities; and
\t\t\t(b) The child’s material, developmental, educational, and emotional needs are provided by the parents according to the parents’ individual capability.
\t4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2017.