New HampshireHealth officials assess children in certain residential programs; courts review placements
For children in certain residential treatment programs, health officials must arrange an assessment within 30 days, and courts must decide on their placements within 60 days.
What it does
For children placed in certain residential treatment programs, the health department must arrange an assessment within 30 days. A court must review it and approve or change the placement within 60 days.
A child protection case may continue when diligent efforts fail to find an attorney to appoint. When possible, the court must first consider issues that do not affect what the child says they want.
Argument forA timely assessment and court decision could help children avoid staying in a residential program that does not meet their needs.
Argument againstA child protection case could move forward before the child has an attorney to help explain what the child wants.
More detail
The health department must arrange an assessment, and a court must approve or change the child's placement. This applies to children placed in federally defined residential treatment programs in cases about delinquency, child protection, or a child's need for services. A person who meets federal qualifications must perform the assessment. The assessment is due within 30 days of placement, and the court's order is due within 60 days of placement. These provisions took effect August 4, 2026.
A child protection case may proceed while an attorney is unavailable for appointment. This applies to cases under the child protection law. This applies only when diligent efforts have failed to find an attorney. When possible, the court must focus first on issues that do not affect what the child says they want. This provision took effect August 1, 2026, and lasts until August 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 8III. Remainder Effective 08/04/2026Latest
- Jun 8II. Section 5 Effective 08/01/2027
- Jun 8I. Section 4 Effective 08/01/2026
- Jun 8Signed by the Governor Kelly Ayotte on 06/05/2026; Chapter 126Became Law
- May 21Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 154To Governor
- May 21Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13Minor
- Apr 23Ought to Pass: MA VV 04/23/2026 HJ 11 P. 3Passed House
- Apr 6Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/31/2026 (Vote 16-0; CC)Minor
- Mar 25Executive Session: 03/31/2026 10:00 am GP 230
- Mar 17Public Hearing: 03/24/2026 11:00 am GP 230
- Feb 26Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Children and Family Law HJ 5 P. 124Minor
- Jan 29Committee Amendment # 2026-0129s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
- Jan 29Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0129s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2Passed Senate
- Jan 22Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0129s, 01/29/2026; Vote 3-0; CC; SC 3Minor
- 2025
- Dec 30Hearing: 01/15/2026, Room 103, SH, 10:20 am; SC 48
- Nov 21Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Children and Family Law; SJ 1Introduced
HealthcareCriminal Justice