CHAPTER 247

HB 293 - FINAL VERSION

7Apr2021... 0590h

01/05/2022   2290s

2022 SESSION

21-0550

05/04

HOUSE BILL 293

AN ACT relative to the procedure for adoption of a minor child.

SPONSORS: Rep. Belanger, Rock. 9; Rep. Blasek, Hills. 21; Rep. Abramson, Rock. 37; Rep. Bordes, Belk. 3; Rep. Love, Rock. 6; Rep. Prudhomme-O'Brien, Rock. 6; Rep. Sheehan, Hills. 23; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill provides that, in the adoption of a related minor child, a home assessment may not be required if the parents are deceased or their parental rights have been terminated and the child has lived with the prospective adoptive parents for at least 2 consecutive years.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

7Apr2021... 0590h

01/05/2022   2290s 21-0550

05/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

AN ACT relative to the procedure for adoption of a minor child.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

247:1  Adoption; Assessment Not Required.  Amend RSA 170-B:18, V to read as follows:  

V.  Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 170-B:18, I and II, in the adoption of a related minor child, the court may[, for good cause shown,] proceed to a hearing and a decree without an assessment when both of the following circumstances are met:

(a)  The parents of the minor child have surrendered their parental rights, the parents of the minor are deceased, or the parents' parental rights have been terminated; and

(b) The minor child has resided with the petitioners to whom the child is related for at least [3] 2 consecutive years prior to filing the petition for adoption.

247:2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: June 24, 2022

Effective Date: June 24, 2022