Hon. Betty GaySupportSalem, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
When a child rejects a parent during a divorce, there can be many reasons, some of which should be treated or at the least, revealed. This bill offers thorough points of assessment by a capable psychologist. It is my wish that the assessment listed in this bill would be ordered BEFORE any psychological treatment was ordered by the family court. Too many times family court judges have ordered counseling lasting years without ever having the child assessed. Judges are not supposed to be considered professional clinical psychologists, and as such should depend on a professional assessment prior to ordering psychological treatment sessions.
Jennifer BeaudetOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
If passed, this law would be financially and psychologically damaging to children and families.
Lissa MascioOpposeConcord, NHfor NH Office of the Child AdvocateFeb 4, 2025
The Office of the Child Advocate has concerns about HB335 requiring courts to order a minor and their family have psychological evaluations and, if necessary, counseling, where parental rights and responsibilities are contested in a family court matter, as written, including:
* "Rejection" or "withholding" could be indicators of physical or sexual abuse, or psychological maltreatment, and should not be the basis to subject a child to a potentially inappropriate or traumatic "evaluation." Children involved in high-conflict parenting cases are often also involved in the child protection system.
* Such an "evaluation" may not be appropriate or therapeutic for the child, as it could cause additional trauma by involving the child in divorce proceedings, and may not be beneficial or in the Best interest of the child. Evaluations should not be requested or triggered due to a parent feeling wronged in a parenting proceeding.
* Much of the language of this bill is incredibly concerning, such as: " narcissistic-borderline-dark personality pathology," " shared/induced persecutory delusion," and "factitious attachment pathology," to name a few.
* There is always some concern with children having diagnoses assigned to them that could impact quality of care later in life, especially the ones named in the bill, which do not align with recognized DSM diagnoses.
This bill does not appear to be for the advancement of the best interest of children, which is the bellwether for 461-A determinations, but rather to advance the interests of one parent, based on questionable "science."
For all of these reasons, the OCA would recommend the committee ITL this bill.
Margaret KonzeOpposePembroke, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Why do we need a law that mandates a whole entire family submit to psychiatric services when a family law judge could just order that anyway?
What happens when people don’t have Medicaid anymore, or even when they have the best insurance but they can’t get into a therapist in New Hampshire because we’ve had mental health crisis levels of provider shortages in this state for decades?
KRISTINE PEREZSupportLONDONDERRY, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
This is necessary for the protection of the citizens of New Hampshire and for transparency
Stacey TorosianSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
I strongly support HB335 please pass this bill
Juliette SallawayOpposeMerrimack, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Anne McLoughlinOpposeExeter, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Adam BraunOpposetuftonboro, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Nathan BraunOpposeExeter, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Mary Hakken-PhillipsOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Molly ManiakOpposeConcord, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Casey LeachOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Briaunna Fontaine-DethOpposeCanaan, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Paul DargieOpposeMilford, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Stephanie TamulonisOpposeWoodstock, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Melissa Penson-MesaOpposeMerrimack, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Jean BrownOpposeHanover, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Paula WermeOpposeMilford, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Senator Debra AltschillerOpposeSD 24, NHfor SD 24Feb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Sam HawkinsOpposeConcord, NHfor NAMI New HampshireFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Daniel RichardsonSupportNashua, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Rep. John PotucekSupportDerry, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.
Christina BarryOpposeGoffstown, NHfor MyselfFeb 4, 2025
Position recorded without written comment.