New HampshireCourts would weigh grandparents' past care and visits
In grandparent visitation cases, courts would consider time spent caring for a child or visiting regularly, along with possible harm to the child.
What it does
Courts would weigh a grandparent's past care or regular visits when deciding a request to see a child. The rules would not apply if the grandparent's access was restricted before or during a covered family change.
Argument forA grandparent who cared for a child for at least six months could have that bond considered when asking to visit.
Argument againstA court might give past visits more weight than a parent's concerns about current family tension.
More detail
Courts would consider a grandparent's past care and visits when deciding whether to order visits with a child. Adoptive and biological grandparents may ask for visits with a minor child. Courts would consider at least six months of shared living or primary care, or at least 12 months of regular visits. The rules do not apply if the grandparent's access was restricted before or during a covered family change. Courts would consider whether visits, or going without visits, could endanger the child's physical or emotional health. If passed, the measure would take effect 60 days after passage.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jan 7Refer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 01/07/2026; SJ 1Latest
- 2025
- Nov 4Committee Report: Referred to Interim Study, 01/07/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 46
- May 15Rereferred to Committee, MA, VV; 05/15/2025; SJ 13Minor
- May 12Committee Report: Rereferred to Committee, 05/15/2025, Vote 3-0, CC; SC 21A
- Mar 26Hearing: 04/03/2025, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 15
- Mar 11Introduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 6Ought to Pass: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 3Passed House
- Feb 21Committee Report: Ought to Pass 02/18/2025 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 14 P. 4Minor
- Feb 7Executive Session: 02/18/2025 10:30 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 21Public Hearing: 02/04/2025 10:00 am LOB 206-208
- Jan 14Introduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 3 P. 12Introduced