The bill mandates that courts must issue temporary orders concerning a minor child when a petition is filed, altering the current law where courts may issue such orders. The bill specifies that temporary hearings must be held within 30 days of the filing of a petition and that any other temporary orders must be issued within 45 days. This represents a significant change from the discretionary power previously held by courts to a mandatory requirement, with the aim of expediting the process of establishing temporary parental rights and responsibilities.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that there is an indeterminable increase in state expenditures due to the requirement for more hearings and the compressed schedule for these hearings. The Judicial Branch anticipates that the number of hearings will significantly increase and that the time for parties to reach an agreement without court intervention will be limited. However, the exact number of additional hearings and the full impact on the court schedule cannot be determined. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services does not expect any programmatic costs associated with the bill. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.