Karin Como

his bill weakens New Hampshire’s ability to protect vulnerable children. By preventing child-welfare professionals from considering a caregiver’s refusal to acknowledge a child’s gender identity, HB 1376 removes an important tool for assessing emotional harm. Children experiencing identity-related distress are at higher risk for depression and self-harm, and professionals need the freedom to evaluate each situation individually. HB 1376 also introduces legal ambiguity into abuse and neglect determinations. Our current system relies on the “best interest of the child” standard. Creating a special exemption tied to “biological sex” undermines that standard and restricts the judgment of caseworkers, clinicians, and courts who are trained to evaluate risk. Parents already have strong rights under existing law. What this bill does is limit the state’s ability to intervene when a child’s mental or emotional safety may be compromised. For these reasons, I respectfully ask the committee to oppose HB 1376 to ensure New Hampshire maintains a child-centered, evidence-based approach to welfare and protection.