HB 1199  - AS INTRODUCED

2022 SESSION

22-2339

07/04

HOUSE BILL 1199

AN ACT prohibiting reunification therapy.

SPONSORS: Rep. Gay, Rock. 8; Rep. Stapleton, Sull. 5; Rep. M. Pearson, Rock. 34; Rep. Wuelper, Straf. 3; Rep. Bernardy, Rock. 16; Rep. Greeson, Graf. 16; Rep. Woods, Merr. 23; Rep. Nutter-Upham, Hills. 33; Rep. Moran, Hills. 34; Rep. Rung, Hills. 21

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

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ANALYSIS

This bill prohibits the use of reunification therapy in counseling required in parenting plans filed with the court and requires any court-selected counselor to be a participating provider in the parties' health insurance network.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2339

07/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

AN ACT prohibiting reunification therapy.

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

1  Parental Rights and Responsibilities; Parenting Plans; Contents; Reunification Therapy Prohibited.  Amend RSA 461-A:4, III to read as follows:

III.  If the parties are insured and the parenting plan directs the parties to participate in counseling, the court shall give due consideration to selecting a counselor who [accepts direct payment from the] is a participating provider in the parties' health insurance carrier network.  The use of reunification therapy in such counseling shall be prohibited whether or not the children are covered by health insurance.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2023.