NH SB515

Shifts responsibility for ordering assessments of children in qualified residential treatment programs from the court to the Department of Health and Human Services, which must complete assessments within 30 days of placement by a qualified individual under the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017

Requires courts to review placement assessments and issue orders approving or changing placements within 60 days for children in delinquency, child protection, and children in need of services cases

Allows child protection proceedings to continue when no attorney is available for a child despite diligent search efforts, with courts prioritizing legal issues that do not affect the child's expressed interests until counsel becomes available

Applies to three juvenile statutes: RSA 169-B (delinquent children), RSA 169-C (child protection), and RSA 169-D (children in need of services)

The counsel appointment provision takes effect August 1, 2026; remaining provisions take effect 60 days after passage