NH House Testimony

HB187

House · 2025 sessionRepublicanSigned into law

Restraining orders for minor children

AI

Expands the persons against whom a parent or guardian may seek a restraining order on behalf of a minor child where abuse is alleged.

relative to restraining orders sought by a parent on behalf of a minor child.

Civil ActionsChildrenDomestic Relations

Status

Signed into law · June 25, 2025
  1. Introduced
  2. House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Division of testimony

105 submissions
Support 100Oppose 5Neutral 0
Linda TannerOpposesunapee, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

This bill is vague in defining abuse. It is vague on who can petition. This bill needs more definition in its terms. As it is now, a person, any person, who thinks certain books or activities are ‘abusive’ can petition for a restraint. Someone who does not agree how a child is being brought up (without definition of abuse) could be restrained. This is a bad bill unless this is the point of the bill.

Wayne WidtfeldtSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I feel this bill would benefit people to obtain restraining orders against anyone threatening them.

Laura SokoloskiSupportLebanon, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I am testifying in support of HB187 to support life-saving and life-changing protections for youth experiencing abuse. If the family is causing the abuse, children can be trapped: unable to submit their own paperwork and limited by their own agency, forced to stay in situations that can be dangerous. By allowing someone other than a family member to apply for an order on behalf of a child, we would provide protections to these children, making it easier for them to seek help.

Jeanne CreamerSupportDanbury, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Parents should be able to protect their children, no matter the childs age. Should not even be a question or an issue at all. Common sense seems to be very limited these days!

TJ TalbotSupportLoudon, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I agree this bill should expand against whom a parent or guardian may seek a restraining order on behalf of a minor child where abuse is alleged

Suzanne SmallOpposeTilton, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

We need to protect children from perpetrators outside the home, not just family members. They deserve to feel protected from anyone that threatens their safety, well being and innocence.

Scott HilsmanSupportEffingham, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I support HB187 to allow parents to file for a restraining order on behalf of their child, when the abuser is a NOT a family or household member.

William BrewsterSupportPelham, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

This bill.is necessary to keep our children safe.

Ariel ItseSupportNorthfield, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Parents expect to be able to protect their children to the reasonable extent of the law. Being able to file a restraining order against a predator, of any kind, on behalf of their child is crucial to that.

Robert C. Mills JrSupportNorth Conway, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Seems like sn oversight in the Law that you cannot get a Restraining Order against someone if they don't live in the same house or are not related to the person looking to acquire the Order!

Gordon SpringateSupportWilton, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Fully support this Bill.

Taylor BarrySupportNashua, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

In the United States, households are composed of individuals unrelated to each other more than ever before. Therefore, the need for restraining orders for children must meet this demand, extending beyond households and family members.

Jessie-Lynn SullivanSupportDeering, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Restraining orders to protect minors should not only be effective for family or household members. If a neighbor or someone within the town, or school, or any other public space needs to be kept away from a child for safety - then it should be granted regardless of where the accused lives.

Gail HewinsSupportSanbornville, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I believe this bill will close a loophole which has been detrimental for families dealing with this horrific situation. Please consider the ramifications and pass this bill. Thank you.

Nastassja HunterSupportGoffstown, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

As someone who has needed protective services I am in favor of this bill. Everyone deserves to be protected by those who have posed as a threat in their life despite their age. Minors are especially vulnerable and should have the ability to obtain protective orders against more than just whom they live. Bullying and mental illness is no stranger to our community. We owe it to our kids to have basic protections.

Paula HammondSupportTilton, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Please support HB187, to do otherwise seems very foolish. Thank you for protecting the children.

Christine CurtisSupportEffingham, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I support this bill and I support the children of NH.

Jocelyn THOMPSONSupportGrantham, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

This is absolutely necessary to keep children safe

Kimberly MurphySupportMiddleton, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

My nephew was sexually assaulted and groomed by his friends father and my brother was not able to legally protect his son from this pedolphile. Please change this law!!

Sarah GreekeSupportSanbornville, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

This change is so important for parents to be able to protect their children. I can’t imagine being in a situation where my child needed an order for protection and I am unable to get it for them.

Lucy VilleneuveSupportFreedom, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

I support this bill because children need advocates to protect them from predatory behavior that can traumatize them for life. I have a daughter, as well as a son with intellectual and physical disabilities, and would like to know that I have legal power to protect them from harm.

Angelica MurphySupportWarren, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

A parent or guardian should have full authority to take all actions to protect an injured child.

Angelicq MurphySupportWarren, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

A parent or guardian should have full authority to take all actions to protect an injured child.

Aryanna DavisSupportBarrington, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

Parents should be able to protect their children by getting restraining orders or other legal help on behalf of their children if necessary.

Gwynne PollardSupportSanbornville, NHfor MyselfFeb 11, 2025

This bill is an important step in protecting minors from perpetrators of violence when they are unrelated to the minor. I am in favor of expanding the rights of parents and guardians to seek protective orders on behalf miners, as outlined in this bill.