Relative to the choice of counselor to evaluate a child in family court proceedings.
Impact
If enacted, HB 1253 will significantly change how family court proceedings address child evaluations. It enhances parental autonomy in mental health decisions, thereby potentially improving the quality of counseling services provided to children. Courts will now have a clear directive to prioritize parental choice as well as insurance considerations, which could streamline the overall process of family law cases involving counseling. This adjustment aims to provide families with greater control over mental health care options, thereby fostering a more supportive environment for children undergoing evaluations.
Summary
House Bill 1253 aims to amend the existing family law in New Hampshire by granting parents the right to choose the counselor involved in their children's evaluations during family court proceedings. This legislation recognizes the importance of parental agency in selecting a mental health professional who will evaluate their child and align with their family's specific needs. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that, if parents do not specify a choice, the court will select a counselor who is part of the parents' insurance network, emphasizing accessibility and insurance compatibility.
Sentiment
The sentiment around HB 1253 appears to be largely positive, particularly among advocacy groups that support parental rights and mental health accessibility. By giving parents a voice in selecting their child's evaluator, the bill is viewed as a beneficial reform that respects and promotes family involvement in crucial decisions. However, there may be some concerns related to the implications of counselor selection and the potential varied standards of care that parents might choose, which could be a point of contention among mental health professionals.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding HB 1253 is the balance between parental choice and the quality of mental health care available to children. Critics worry that expanding parental rights in counselor selection may lead to choices that do not align with best practices in child evaluation, thereby affecting treatment outcomes. Further, while the bill seeks to include monetary considerations in counselor selection based on insurance networks, there might be debates about whether such inclusivity adequately addresses the complexities of mental health care in specific cases.
Requiring courts to order a minor and their family have psychological evaluations and, if necessary, counseling, where parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter.