HB1626 (2020) Detail

Relative to the role of the guardian ad litem in parenting cases in which domestic violence is suspected or alleged.


HB 1626 - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2020 SESSION

20-2272

05/04

 

HOUSE BILL 1626

 

AN ACT relative to the role of the guardian ad litem in parenting cases in which domestic violence is suspected or alleged.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Gay, Rock. 8; Rep. Marsh, Carr. 8; Rep. McNally, Straf. 10; Rep. Plumer, Belk. 6; Rep. Nutter-Upham, Hills. 33

 

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill provides that if domestic violence is an issue in a parenting case, the guardian ad litem shall refer the family to the local crisis center, comply with mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse, and determine whether a lethality assessment protocol was completed.  The bill also provides that such cases shall not be assigned to the complex case docket.

 

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

20-2272

05/04

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty

 

AN ACT relative to the role of the guardian ad litem in parenting cases in which domestic violence is suspected or alleged.

 

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

 

1  New Paragraph; Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Guardians Ad Litem; Domestic Violence Screening.  Amend RSA 461-A:16 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:  

II-a.  When a guardian ad litem is appointed to a parenting case in which domestic violence is suspected or alleged, the guardian ad litem shall promptly refer the relevant party to a local crisis center and, in appropriate cases, comply with mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse under RSA 169-C:29.  The guardian ad litem shall also determine whether law enforcement completed a lethality assessment protocol regarding any party to the proceeding.  If domestic violence is identified as an issue, either between the parties or between one or both parties and the children, the case shall not be assigned to the complex case docket or high conflict docket.

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

Links


Date Body Type
March 3, 2020 House Hearing
March 3, 2020 House Exec Session
House Floor Vote
March 11, 2020 House Floor Vote

Bill Text Revisions

HB1626 Revision: 7271 Date: Dec. 9, 2019, 2:18 p.m.

Docket


March 11, 2020: Inexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2020 HJ 7 P. 4


: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate (Vote 19-0; CC)


March 11, 2020: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for 03/11/2020 (Vote 19-0; CC) HC 10 P. 4


March 3, 2020: Executive Session: 03/03/2020 03:00 pm LOB 206


March 3, 2020: Public Hearing: 03/03/2020 01:45 pm LOB 206


Jan. 8, 2020: Introduced 01/08/2020 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 1 P. 29