21-V:1 Definitions. – In this chapter, and unless the specific context indicates otherwise: I. " Agency " means any department, institution, bureau, or office of the state, as well as other public and private children and youth service organizations providing services under contract or agreement with an executive agency; provided that "agency" shall not […]
21-V:10 Oversight Commission on Children’s Services Established. – I. There shall be an oversight commission on children’s services, which shall consist of the following members: (a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the senate president. (b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (c) […]
21-V:2 Office of the Child Advocate Established. – There shall be an office of the child advocate which shall be an independent agency, attached to the department of administrative services pursuant to RSA 21-G:10 for administrative purposes only. The office shall: I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, operate with full independence from any […]
21-V:3 Child Advocate; Appointment; Term; Vacancy; Removal. – I. The office of the child advocate shall be under the supervision of the child advocate. The child advocate shall be the administrative head of the office and shall be a full-time, unclassified position, responsible for the duties of the office. II. The child advocate shall […]
21-V:4 Access to Information and Facilities. – I. The office shall have access to the following information: (a) All case records, all third party records, including the healthcare records of any child receiving services from an executive agency, and all records submitted to the courts. (b) Executive agencies’ policies and procedures, including draft policies […]
21-V:5 Confidentiality of Information. – I. The office shall maintain the confidentiality of all case records, third party records, and court records pursuant to RSA 169-C:25 and RSA 170-G:8-a, and all other related confidentiality laws. II. The office investigations and oversight activities, and the information gathered in such investigations and oversight activities, including the […]
21-V:6 Power of Subpoena. – The office shall have the authority to subpoena witnesses, records, documents, reports, reviews, recommendations, correspondence, data, and other evidence that the office reasonably believes is relevant. Source. 2020, 26:9, eff. Sept. 18, 2020.
21-V:7 Incidents and Fatalities. – I. The division shall provide the office with a copy of all critical incident reports or other reports related to actual physical injury to children or a significant risk of such harm, as well as other incidents which may affect the safety and well-being of children in the custody […]
21-V:8 Annual Report. – Beginning November 1, 2020, and each November 1 thereafter, the child advocate shall submit an annual report of the activities and findings of the office, and present his or her recommendations to the oversight commission. The report shall also be provided to the commissioner of any executive agency that is […]
21-V:9 Confidentiality and Admissibility. – No person employed or contracted by or volunteering for the office shall be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving exercise of his or her official duties except as may be necessary to enforce this chapter. All related […]
