HB486 Relative to grandparents' visitation rights.
Relative to grandparents' visitation rights.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Fiscal note indicates less than $10,000 annual cost to the state; no direct financial impact on most NH families.
Your Community
Bill affects family court procedures but does not directly impact schools, local services, or community infrastructure.
Your Freedom
Modestly expands grandparents' legal standing to petition for visitation while preserving parental authority and existing protections against prior access restrictions.
Status
Refer to Interim Study, Motion Adopted, Voice Vote; 01/07/2026; Senate Journal 1
Sponsor
Jodi Nelson (R)
The Short Version
This bill expands the criteria courts must consider when grandparents petition for visitation rights with minor children, adding language about caregiving history and prior visitation patterns. It has minimal fiscal impact (less than $10,000 annually) and makes modest changes to family law procedures.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Grandparents seeking visitation rights who have had significant caregiving roles or prior visitation patterns
- ▲ Grandchildren who may maintain relationships with extended family when parents are absent or deceased
- ▲ Courts, which gain additional explicit criteria for evaluating visitation petitions
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Parents who may face additional court proceedings if grandparents petition for visitation
- ▼ No significant costs identified for specific resident groups
Bill statuses as of October 7, 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.