This bill amends the existing law regarding the termination of parental rights by including qualifying convictions from other states as valid grounds for such petitions. Specifically, it modifies RSA 170-C:5, VII to incorporate language that recognizes equivalent convictions in courts of competent jurisdiction outside the state. The bill lists specific offenses, including murder, manslaughter, attempts, solicitation, conspiracy, and felony assault, and clarifies that these offenses can be grounds for termination if they involve the parent or their relatives, including minor children who resided with the defendant.

The new legal language inserted into the bill emphasizes the inclusion of equivalent convictions from other jurisdictions, thereby broadening the scope of offenses that can lead to the termination of parental rights. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026, and it is projected to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 170-C:5