Committee Summary for House Children and Family Law (09/30/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB518 00:05:40.960 - 9:04:41 AM	Executive Session	requiring the commissioner of the department of health and human services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs incurred by the division for children, youth and families.	Layon, Erica(R)[A+]2025
HB652 00:17:56.559 - 9:16:57 AM	Executive Session	abolishing the family division, creating the office of family mediation, and reassigning the jurisdiction of the family division.	Bernardy, JD(R)[B+]2025
HB518 01:00:52.640 - 9:59:53 AM	Executive Session	requiring the commissioner of the department of health and human services to provide a detailed annual report of all costs incurred by the division for children, youth and families.	Layon, Erica(R)[A+]2025

HB518: Committee Chair Information Only00:05:40.960 - 9:04:41 AM; The chair opens the executive session on House Bill 518, sets rules for the proceedings emphasizing no audience input and potential removal for disruptions, and delays the start to await information from the clerk on prior questions.
HB518: Representative Love Oppose00:09:53.360 - 9:08:54 AM; Representative Love opposes the motion to find House Bill 518 Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL), arguing that the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is severely mismanaged, leading to issues like child deaths, abuse, and molestation. He describes DCYF's evolution from a social services agency to an untrained law enforcement arm of family courts, causing fear among constituents and tyranny. He calls for a fact-finding mission to investigate understaffing, undertraining, excessive administration, or corruption, stating that the bill is necessary to address these problems and protect children and families.
HB652: Subcommittee Chairman Information Only00:17:56.559 - 9:16:57 AM; Upon reconvening, the subcommittee chairman moves to find House Bill 652FN Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL).
HB652: Representative Pearson Support00:18:49.120 - 9:17:50 AM; Representative Pearson explains the history and benefits of the specialized family division in New Hampshire's circuit court, established to handle family-related matters more effectively than superior courts. He highlights its jurisdiction over cases like divorce, child support, abuse, and juvenile delinquency, operating in 32 locations with over 18,000 cases annually. He notes that 75% of states have similar systems and argues against the bill's proposal to transfer jurisdiction back to superior court, which would undermine expertise and overwhelm dockets. He discusses ongoing work by a special committee and subcommittee to improve the family division, including simplified forms, expanded mediation, and addressing public concerns. He recommends deeming the bill inexpedient to legislate (ITL) to continue enhancements instead of reversal.
HB652: Representative Love Oppose00:23:58.000 - 9:22:59 AM; Representative Love opposes the ITL motion, preferring an interim study to refine the bill rather than killing it, as ITL would prevent using it as an amendment. He criticizes the family court's rules, calling it a 'clown court' due to inconsistent enforcement, and shares anecdotes of injustices, including a friend's suicide due to custody loss. He argues the system is broken like DCYF and needs legislative fixes, emphasizing that without tools like this bill, reforms can't happen effectively. He suggests reallocating funds for more mediators to reduce the need for judges and protect families.
HB652: Representative Greg Support00:26:08.720 - 9:25:09 AM; Representative Greg acknowledges the emotional difficulties in family court cases, noting that not everyone can win and personal stories don't always reflect the full picture, citing her own experience with an abusive ex. She argues against abolishing the family division for its flaws, like unsworn witnesses or discovery limits, which are rule issues fixable without dissolution. She supports specialized judges for family matters, including domestic violence, and backs the ITL while endorsing ongoing subcommittee work for improvements.
HB652: Representative Shear Information Only00:30:32.080 - 9:29:33 AM; As a lawyer on the committee, Representative Shear clarifies that under the New Hampshire Constitution, the Supreme Court has the authority to create its own rules, including for the family court, creating tension with legislative efforts regardless of preferences.
HB652: Representative Corsen Oppose00:31:27.120 - 9:30:28 AM; Representative Corsen discusses constituent complaints in Coos County about family court issues like not being heard, evidence restrictions, systemic bias, lack of due process, and oversight. He supports the bill's mediation provisions for better outcomes, satisfaction, reduced conflict, and child well-being, noting cost barriers for representation. He highlights rising civil liberties violation claims in the judicial system (from 32% in 2017 to 56% in 2024), indicating a trust crisis that needs addressing, though unsure if this bill is the solution.
HB652: Representative Georgees Support00:34:53.040 - 9:33:54 AM; Representative Georgees advocates for a restorative approach to fix the family court system rather than abolishing it, using analogies like repairing a sick body or a leaky house. He emphasizes community input, trying mediation first, and addressing specific flaws to make it better, warning that abolition would lead to regret without attempting repairs.
HB652: Representative Pearson Support00:37:22.480 - 9:36:23 AM; Representative Pearson elaborates on court types, noting superior courts focus on punishment while family courts (like chancery or equity) solve problems with different rules. He supports ongoing reforms like scrutinizing judge bias complaints, increasing mediation, and consistent case handling by one judge. He points out budget cuts exacerbate delays and limited services, and clarifies evidence rules to prevent irrelevant admissions. He reiterates the subcommittee's commitment to fixes without tearing down the system.
HB652: Representative Love Oppose00:40:51.440 - 9:39:52 AM; Representative Love thanks the committee and reiterates opposition to ITL, arguing it removes a tool for repairs and restores rulemaking authority ceded in 1966. He stresses the need for legislation to enable fixes like more mediators, funded by cutting waste elsewhere, to protect kids and families without futile efforts.
HB652: Representative Pearson Support00:42:05.520 - 9:41:06 AM; Representative Pearson counters that ongoing special and subcommittee work provides tools for improvements without this problematic bill, affirming commitment to addressing family court issues.
HB652: Representative Corsen Oppose00:44:27.839 - 9:43:28 AM; Representative Corsen thanks the committee but reminds that delays in reforms mean ongoing harm, with children losing parental rights daily while debates continue, emphasizing urgency despite agreed need for changes.
HB652: Representative Georgees Support00:45:34.000 - 9:44:35 AM; Representative Georgees reiterates the need to fix the system collaboratively, including with DCF, through better parenting programs and subcommittee efforts to prevent unnecessary child separations and ensure effective support for parents.
HB518: Representative Vice Chair Sidel Oppose01:00:52.640 - 9:59:53 AM; Representative Sidel moves to ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) House Bill 518 FN, arguing that it is redundant because DCYF already provides reports to DHHS through their budget and finance office, and DHHS reports costs to the legislature.
HB518: Representative Raymond Oppose01:01:38.079 - 10:00:39 AM; Representative Raymond seconds the motion and later explains that the DCYF advisory board receives monthly reports from Commissioner Nunan, which supports the view that the bill is redundant. She notes the board includes diverse members like parents with DCYF experience, youth who aged out, and community partners, providing varied perspectives.
HB518: Representative Pearson Oppose01:02:34.799 - 10:01:35 AM; As chair of the DHS oversight committee, Representative Pearson states that DCYF has always been forthcoming with reports when requested. He asks if the advisory board has ever been refused line-item information, and affirms that nothing has been refused in his experience on the board.
HB518: Representative Corson Oppose01:05:25.440 - 10:04:26 AM; Representative Corson, a recent member of the DCYF advisory board since January, states that DCYF has bent over backwards to work with the board and would likely provide requested information.
HB518: Representative Love Support01:04:08.480 - 10:03:09 AM; Representative Love opposes ITL, arguing that passing the bill allows the legislature to ask specific questions in audits that might be omitted otherwise. He emphasizes the need for transparency due to issues in DCYF, such as children being killed or abused, and constituents paying the bill. He suggests an interim study and stresses finding out if there are enough investigators or if administration is too heavy.
HB518: Representative Sher Information Only01:06:41.440 - 10:05:42 AM; Representative Sher asks if documents provided by DHHS (corrected to DCYF) to the advisory board are open to the public, and is informed that they are provided by DCYF and are public as far as known.
HB518: Representative Georgees Oppose01:09:02.560 - 10:08:03 AM; Representative Georgees addresses concerns by noting that findings from investigations can be brought before the full committee to address issues in DCYF, supporting the view that existing mechanisms are sufficient without the bill.
HB518: Representative (Unspecified) Oppose01:09:49.920 - 10:08:50 AM; The speaker criticizes the DCF investigator's handling of the Montgomery case, where the investigator dismissed concerns despite the family living in a car in February with parents using drugs. The speaker questions the hiring practices of the investigator, who had been fired twice previously, and calls for an audit. They emphasize the need to address these issues transparently to prevent further harm to children and families, warning that ignoring the problem will lead to more tragedies.
HB518: Representative Love Information Only01:13:16.560 - 10:12:17 AM; Representative Love votes no on the motion to find the bill Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) and declines to join the consent calendar or file a minority report, opting instead for a majority report only.

DeSimone, Debra(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Nelson, Jodi(Clerk)(R)[B]2025	Rice, Kimberly(V Chairman)(R)[B-]2025
McMahon, Charles(R)[B+]2025	Love, David(R)[B+]2025	Pearson, Mark(R)[B]2025
Korzen, Lori(R)[B+]2025	Georges, Mary(D)[D-]2025	Raymond, Heather(D)[CT]2025
Gregg, Alicia(D)[D-]2025	Petrigno, Peter(D)[F]2025	Grossman, Gaby(D)[IN]2025
Levesque, Cassandra (D)[D-]2025	Malone, Amy(D)[D-]2025	Markell, Jay(R)[B]2025