Bill > HB1323

This bill introduces a comprehensive legal framework for addressing parental alienation in New Hampshire's family law system. It defines parental alienation as a pattern of behavior that damages the relationship between a child and a parent, including actions like making disparaging remarks, manipulating or coercing a child, and unjustifiably interfering with parenting time (while explicitly excluding good-faith protective actions related to potential abuse). The bill amends multiple existing statutes to incorporate parental alienation as a significant factor in various legal proceedings involving children, such as determining parental rights and responsibilities, modifying custody arrangements, and considering grandparent visitation rights. Importantly, the bill allows courts to consider evidence of parental alienation when making decisions about joint decision-making responsibility, potential changes in parental rights, and in family access motions. The legislation also provides that in cases where parental alienation is found, courts can take remedial actions and may award attorneys' fees to the prevailing party. The bill will take effect 30 days after its passage, and while it does not provide direct funding, the Judicial Branch anticipates some additional administrative costs to implement the new legal requirements, estimated between $100,000 and $200,000 annually.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2197&inflect=2