HB1687 Removing the power of courts within the judicial branch family division to issue criminal determinations, judgments, and penalties.
Removing the power of courts within the judicial branch family division to issue criminal determinations, judgments, and penalties.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Concerning
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Would increase costs by requiring separate criminal court proceedings for matters currently handled efficiently in family court.
Your Community
Removing criminal authority from family courts could leave victims of domestic violence and child abuse without timely enforcement.
Your Freedom
May protect some due process rights but could also leave victims without prompt protection.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/11/2026 House Journal 7
Sponsor
David Love (R)
The Short Version
Would strip family courts of the power to make criminal determinations and impose penalties. This could create gaps in enforcement of domestic violence protective orders, child abuse cases, and contempt proceedings handled in family court.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Defendants in family court facing criminal penalties who want full criminal court protections
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Domestic violence victims relying on family court enforcement
- ▼ Children in abuse cases requiring swift action
- ▼ An already overburdened criminal court system
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.