This bill amends existing laws regarding out-of-state placements for children, emphasizing the need for such placements to be licensed according to the laws of the state in which they operate and certified by the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill replaces the term "contracted" with "certified" in the context of placements, ensuring that out-of-state facilities meet specific legal standards. Additionally, it maintains a presumption in favor of in-state placements as the least restrictive and most appropriate option, allowing out-of-state placements only when no suitable in-state options are available and when the out-of-state facility offers specialized services that cannot be provided in New Hampshire.

Furthermore, the bill introduces increased judicial oversight for out-of-state placements, requiring written approval from the director of the Division for Children, Youth, and Families, or their designee, for placements outside of New England. It also mandates that any out-of-state placements be limited in duration. The bill includes technical corrections to existing statutes, ensuring clarity and consistency in the language used regarding child placements. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-C:19-b, 169-C:19-e, 169-F:5, 169-F:7
As Amended by the Senate: 169-C:19-b, 169-F:5, 169-F:7
As Amended by the House: 169-C:19-b, 169-F:5, 169-F:7
Version adopted by both bodies: 169-C:19-b, 169-F:5, 169-F:7