Bill Text: NH HB200 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relative to choice of counselor to evaluate a child in family court proceedings.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 7-3)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-01-03 - Refer to Interim Study, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 01/03/2024; Senate Journal 1 [HB200 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2024-HB200-Amended.html
HB 200 - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
14Feb2023... 0010h
2023 SESSION
23-0471
06/04
HOUSE BILL 200
AN ACT relative to choice of counselor to evaluate a child in family court proceedings.
SPONSORS: Rep. Nutter-Upham, Hills. 8; Rep. O. Ford, Rock. 3; Rep. Merchant, Sull. 6; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 36; Rep. Terry, Belk. 7; Rep. Stapleton, Sull. 6; Rep. Vose, Rock. 5; Rep. Cannon, Straf. 12; Rep. McMahon, Rock. 17; Sen. Avard, Dist 12
COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows for parents to choose their counselor for counseling that is part of the parenting plan issued in a court order, as well as in any other counseling used in family court to evaluate a child. This bill also requires courts to select counselors that are participating providers in the parties' insurance networks.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14Feb2023... 0010h 23-0471
06/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT relative to choice of counselor to evaluate a child in family court proceedings.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Parenting Plans; Contents; Establishing Right to Choice of Counselor. Amend RSA 461-A:4, III to read as follows:
III. If the parenting plan directs a child of the parties to participate in counseling, the parents shall have the right to choose the counselor. In cases where the parties are unable to agree on a counselor or in the event that a finding of abuse has been made, the court shall choose a participating provider in the parties' health insurance carrier network.
2 New Section; Judicial Branch Family Division; Counseling. Amend RSA 490-D by inserting after section 15 the following new section:
490-D:16 Counseling. In the event that a court proceeding under this chapter requires a child to be evaluated by a mental health practitioner, the parents of the child shall have the right to choose the practitioner. In cases where the parties are unable to agree on a practitioner or in the event that a finding of abuse has been made, the court shall choose a participating provider in the parties' health insurance carrier networks.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.
