New Hampshire House Bill HB1346

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/20/21
• Refer: 11/20/21
• Report Pass: 2/15/22
• Engrossed: 3/15/22
• Refer: 3/15/22
• Refer: 4/7/22

Caption

Establishing a commission to study the New Hampshire family court system.

Impact

The bill mandates that the commission will undertake a detailed analysis of various facets related to family court, including the frequency of equally shared custody decisions and the effects of delays in enforcing child support orders. Furthermore, it will explore how court processes can adversely affect individuals who have experienced trauma, thereby aiming to initiate reforms that ensure the judicial system serves the best interests of families. The commission is designed to operate transparently, holding monthly public hearings to encourage community involvement in the study's findings.

Summary

House Bill 1346 aims to establish a commission tasked with studying the New Hampshire family court system. The urgency for such a commission arises from ongoing concerns regarding the effectiveness and fairness of family court processes, especially in terms of how these processes impact children and families involved in custody cases. By creating this commission, the bill seeks to gather comprehensive insights and evidence that can inform potential legislative changes concerning family law in New Hampshire.

Contention

While the bill appears to have garnered support from various stakeholders who recognize the need for reform, concerns may linger regarding the potential for bureaucratic delay or insufficient representation of familial perspectives in court proceedings. Moreover, the involvement of different appointed members, including legal professionals and advocates from domestic violence organizations, suggests a multifaceted approach to gathering information. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the commission will rely heavily on its compositional balance and responsive engagement with the public and affected communities.