HB 51 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

21Mar2007… 0529h

2007 SESSION

07-0279

05/04

HOUSE BILL 51

AN ACT permitting adoption by 2 unmarried adults in a familial relationship.

SPONSORS: Rep. Lockwood, Merr 6; Rep. Bouchard, Merr 11; Rep. Tupper, Merr 6; Rep. Blanchard, Merr 10; Rep. MacKay, Merr 11

COMMITTEE: Children and Family Law

ANALYSIS

This bill permits 2 unmarried adults in a familial relationship to adopt jointly.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

21Mar2007… 0529h

07-0279

05/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT permitting adoption by 2 unmarried adults in a familial relationship.

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

1 New Paragraph; Adoption; Who May Adopt; Unmarried Adults in a Familial Relationship. Amend RSA 170-B:4 by inserting after paragraph IV the following new paragraph:

V. Two unmarried adults in a familial relationship. In this paragraph, a familial relationship shall be determined by considering all relevant circumstances of the petitioners, including, but not limited to:

(a) The sharing of a common residence.

(b) Economic interdependence, such as jointly owning or renting a home.

(c) A shared commitment to parenting duties and responsibilities.

2 New Paragraph; Persons Not Required to Surrender. Amend RSA 170-B:7 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:

VII. A parent of the adoptee who intends to maintain his or her parental rights along with the parent’s spouse or an unmarried adult in a familial relationship, as defined in RSA 170-B:4, V.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 90 days after its passage.