This bill amends the jurisdiction of the judicial branch family division by inserting a new section, 490-D:2-a, which explicitly restricts the division from issuing any criminal determinations, judgments, or penalties. The bill states that while the family division retains jurisdiction over civil matters as outlined in RSA 490-D:2, it will not have the authority to handle criminal cases, which will instead be reserved for the superior court as per RSA 592-A:1. The language also clarifies that any findings or orders from the family division will not be considered criminal determinations.

The effective date for this change is set for January 1, 2027. The fiscal note indicates that while the bill does not project any revenue impact, it may lead to indeterminable expenditures for the state, counties, and local governments due to potential changes in the judicial and correctional systems. The bill has been reviewed by various agencies, including the Judicial Branch and the Department of Justice, to assess its implications on prosecution, incarceration, and related costs.