Bill Text - HB1167 (2020)

Relative to the type of counseling that may be required by the state.


Revision: Dec. 2, 2019, 11:01 a.m.

HB 1167 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-2213

05/10

 

HOUSE BILL 1167

 

AN ACT relative to the type of counseling that may be required by the state.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Gay, Rock. 8; Rep. Cali-Pitts, Rock. 30; Rep. DeSimone, Rock. 14; Rep. Nutter-Upham, Hills. 33; Rep. Pantelakos, Rock. 25; Rep. Plumer, Belk. 6; Rep. Read, Rock. 17; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

 

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill provides that neither state agencies nor the courts shall require individuals to participate in counseling not recognized by the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2213

05/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT relative to the type of counseling that may be required by the state.

 

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

 

1  New Section; Child Welfare and Social Service Programs; Counseling.  Amend RSA 161 by inserting after section 2-b the following new section:

161:2-c  Child Welfare and Social Service Programs; Counseling.  Nothing in this chapter or any other provision of law shall permit a state agency, or a public or private provider acting on behalf of a state agency, to require individuals to participate in counseling not recognized by the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association.

2  Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Parenting Plan; Court Ordered Counseling.  Amend RSA 461-A:4, III to read as follows:

III.  If the parties are insured and the parenting plan directs the parties to participate in counseling, the court shall give due consideration to selecting a counselor who accepts direct payment from the parties' health insurance carrier.  In no case shall the court require the parties to participate in any type of counseling not recognized by the American Psychological Association or the American Psychiatric Association.

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.