1 Delinquent Children; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-B:19-d to read as follows:

169-B:19-d Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, the court shall:

I. Order an assessment to be completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. Review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

2 Child Protection Act; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-C:19-f to read as follows:

169-C:19-f Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, the court shall:

I. Order an assessment to be completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. Review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

3 Children in Need of Services; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-D:9-d to read as follows:

169-D:9-d Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, the court shall:

I. Order an assessment to be completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. Review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

4 New Subparagraph; Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem. Amend RSA 169-C:10, II by inserting after subparagraph (e) the following new subparagraph:

(f) In any action in which, despite diligent efforts to secure counsel, an attorney is not available for appointment, litigation may proceed until an attorney becomes available. In such cases, the court shall, where possible, prioritize consideration of legal issues that do not affect the child's expressed interests until an attorney becomes available.

5 Effective Date.

I. Section 4 of this act shall take effect August 1, 2026.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Delinquent Children; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-B:19-d to read as follows:

169-B:19-d Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017:

I. The department shall have an assessment completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. The court shall review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

2 Child Protection Act; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-C:19-f to read as follows:

169-C:19-f Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017:

I. The department shall have an assessment completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. The court shall review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

3 Children in Need of Services; Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program. Amend RSA 169-D:9-d to read as follows:

169-D:9-d Placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program.

For any child placed in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined in the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017:

I. The department shall have an assessment completed within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual as defined by the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017; and

II. The court shall review the assessment and issue an order approving the placement or changing the placement within 60 days of placement.

4 New Subparagraph; Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem. Amend RSA 169-C:10, II by inserting after subparagraph (e) the following new subparagraph:

(f) In any action in which, despite diligent efforts to secure counsel, an attorney is not available for appointment, litigation may proceed until an attorney becomes available. In such cases, the court shall, where possible, prioritize consideration of legal issues that do not affect the child's expressed interests until an attorney becomes available.

5 Effective Date.

I. Section 4 of this act shall take effect August 1, 2026.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.