Bill > HB1643

This bill modifies the responsibilities of a guardian ad litem (GAL), who is a court-appointed professional tasked with investigating and reporting on child custody matters, by removing the court's ability to request that the GAL's report propose specific recommendations about child custody arrangements. Specifically, the bill prohibits GALs from including proposals for decision-making responsibility allocation, parenting plans, or specific parenting schedules in their reports, regardless of whether the court requests such recommendations. By striking the language "unless specifically requested by the court," the bill categorically prevents GALs from making these types of substantive recommendations, which were previously permitted if explicitly requested by the court. The change aims to alter how child custody evaluations are conducted, potentially shifting the responsibility for developing detailed parenting arrangements more directly to the court or the parties involved. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, providing ample time for legal professionals and courts to prepare for this change in GAL reporting requirements.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=2201&inflect=2