New Hampshire committee debates mental health evaluation requirements in family court cases

The New Hampshire House Children and Family Law Committee convened on February 18, 2025, to discuss several significant legislative proposals, including House Bill 335, which mandates psychological evaluations in family court cases involving contested parental rights.

During the meeting, Representative Markell expressed concerns regarding the bill's feasibility, highlighting the lack of available licensed psychologists in the state to conduct the required evaluations and risk assessments within the stipulated timeframes. He pointed out that the bill's requirements could overwhelm the existing mental health resources and fail to address cases involving parenting petitions outside of divorce proceedings.

Representative Raymond echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the psychological services mandated by the bill may not be covered by health insurance, as they do not align with recognized services in the field. He also raised potential constitutional issues related to the bill's provisions.

The committee ultimately voted on the motion to consider the bill "Inexpedient to Legislate" (ITL), which passed with unanimous support from the members present. This decision effectively halts the bill's progress in the legislative process.

In addition to House Bill 335, the committee also discussed House Bill 350, which proposes that all family division hearings be recorded and broadcast live. Representative Bridal moved to ITL this bill as well, indicating a preference for further review and consideration of the proposed amendments before proceeding.

The discussions reflect ongoing challenges in addressing mental health services within the family law context and the legislative body's cautious approach to new proposals. The committee's decisions signal a need for more comprehensive planning and resources before implementing such significant changes in family law practices.