reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:2 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:2 - Purpose.

    169-C:2 Purpose. –||I. It is the primary purpose of this chapter, through the mandatory reporting of suspected instances of child abuse or neglect, to provide protection to children whose life, health or welfare is endangered. The best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration of the court in all proceedings under this chapter.||II. It is a further purpose of this chapter to establish a judicial framework to protect the rights of all parties involved in the adjudication of child abuse or neglect cases. Each child coming within the provisions of this chapter shall receive, preferably in the child's own home, the care, emotional security, guidance, and control that will promote the child's best interest; and, if the child should be removed from the control of his or her parents, guardian, or custodian, adequate care shall be secured for the child. This chapter seeks to coordinate efforts by parents and state and local authorities, in cooperation with private agencies and organizations, citizens' groups, and concerned individuals, to:||(a) Protect the safety of the child.||(b) Take such action as may be necessary to prevent the abuse or neglect of children.||(c) Determine if the preservation of family unity is in the best interest of the child.||(d) Provide protection, treatment, and rehabilitation, as needed, to children placed in alternative care.||(e) Provide assistance to parents to deal with and correct problems in order to avoid removal of children from the family.||III. This chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that its purpose may be carried out, to wit:||(a) To encourage the mental, emotional, and physical development of each child coming within the provisions of this chapter, by providing the child with the protection, care, treatment, counseling, supervision, and rehabilitative resources which the child needs and has a right to receive.||(b) To achieve the foregoing purposes and policies, whenever it is in the best interest of the child, by keeping a child in contact with his or her home community and in a family environment by preserving the unity of the family and separating the child from his or her parents only when the safety of the child is in danger or when it is clearly necessary for the child's welfare or the interests of the public safety and when it can be clearly shown that a change in custody will be in the best interest of the child; and||(c) To provide effective judicial procedures through which the provisions of this chapter are executed and enforced and which recognize and enforce the constitutional and other rights of the parties and assures them a fair hearing.|||Source. 1979, 361:2. 1983, 331:1, 2, eff. Aug. 17, 1983. 2017, 156:197, eff. July 1, 2017. 2020, 26:37, eff. July 20, 2020.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:3-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:3-a - Rulemaking.

    169-C:3-a Rulemaking. –||The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to:||I. Information contained in the central registry under RSA 169-C:35.||II. Access to confidential records under RSA 169-C:36.||III. The authority to investigate reports of institutional abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:37.|||Source. 1983, 242:8; 291:1, II. 1986, 223:7. 1994, 212:2. 1995, 310:171, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:4 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:4 - Jurisdiction, Continued Jurisdiction, Modification.

    169-C:4 Jurisdiction, Continued Jurisdiction, Modification. –||I. The court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all proceedings alleging the abuse or neglect of a child.||II. The court may, with the consent of the child, retain jurisdiction over any child, who, prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, was found to be neglected or abused and who is attending school until such child completes high school or until his or her twenty-first birthday, whichever occurs first; and the court is authorized to and shall make such orders relative to the support and maintenance of said child during the period after the child's eighteenth birthday as justice may require.||II-a. A child who has consented to the continued jurisdiction of the court pursuant to paragraph II, may revoke his or her consent and request that the case be closed. The revocation of consent and request to close a case shall be made in writing and filed with the court. Upon receipt of the request, the court shall forward copies to all parties of record at their last known address. If no party objects within 10 business days of the date the court forwarded copies of the request to the parties, the court shall accept the child's revocation of consent and shall close the case. If a party objects, the court may, after consideration of the objection, either grant the request and close the case without hearing or schedule the matter for hearing. If the matter is scheduled for hearing, the court shall accept the child's revocation of consent and close the case unless the court finds that immediate closure would create a risk of substantial harm to the child. If the court finds that immediate closure would create a risk of substantial harm to the child, the court shall continue the matter for a period not to exceed 30 days and direct that the department work with the child to develop an independent living plan which shall include referrals to appropriate services. If at the end of such period, the child still wishes to revoke his or her consent and to request that the case be closed, the court shall accept the revocation of consent and close the case.||III. When a custody award has been made pursuant to this chapter, said order shall not be modified or changed nor shall another order affecting the status of the child be issued.|||Source. 1979, 361:2. 1990, 240:2. 2008, 204:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009. 2020, 37:126, eff. July 1, 2020.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:5 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:5 - Venue.

    169-C:5 Venue. –||I. Proceedings under this chapter may be originated in the judicial district in which the child is found or resides.||II. By the court, upon its own motion, or that of any party, proceedings under this chapter may, upon notice and acceptance, be transferred to another court as the interests of justice or convenience of the parties require.|||Source. 1979, 361:2, eff. Aug. 22, 1979.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:6-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:6-a - Emergency Interim Relief.

    169-C:6-a Emergency Interim Relief. –||I. If a child is found by a child protection services worker of the department to be in imminent danger in such circumstances or surroundings and where immediate removal appears necessary to protect the child from such imminent danger, the department's child protection services worker shall contact the court for an ex parte order to remove the child. Prior to any order authorizing foster placement, the child protective services worker shall inform the judge of efforts to locate any non-custodial parent or other relatives for temporary placement.||II. The department or law enforcement officer requesting an ex parte order shall, to the extent known, present in person or by telephone, either orally under oath or by sworn written affidavit, the following information:||(a) A statement of the specific danger requiring either immediate placement of the child or removal of the alleged perpetrator.||(b) The time, place, and manner in which the child was removed from danger, if relevant.||(c) If the child was removed prior to the court order, a brief statement why it was not possible to obtain the order prior to removal.||(d) Why there is not sufficient time to notify the parent, guardian, or custodian prior to the order.||(e) The names and addresses of custodial parents, non-custodial parents, legal custodians, other legal guardians of the child, and any other person responsible for the welfare of the child at the time of removal.||(f) When removal of the child is requested, those alternatives to foster care which were considered, such as removal of the alleged perpetrator, or placement of the child with relatives or others with whom the child is familiar.||III. Whenever a petition is filed for abuse or neglect with or prior to the request for ex parte relief, the request need not repeat information included in the petition.||IV. If the court finds reasonable cause to believe that the child is in such circumstances or surroundings as would present an imminent danger to the child's health or life, the court shall issue such ex parte orders as are necessary to protect the child and shall set the matter for hearing no later than 5 days from the date of the ex parte orders, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.||V. If the court issues an ex parte order based upon oral testimony provided by the department, the department shall submit a written affidavit supporting the department's request for ex parte relief on the next business day.||VI. If the court issues ex parte orders, the department or law enforcement officer shall file a petition meeting the requirements of RSA 169-C:7 within 72 hours of the issuance of the orders, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.|||Source. 1994, 411:4. 1995, 310:175. 2002, 180:1, eff. July 14, 2002. 2016, 200:1, eff. Aug. 5, 2016.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:6-b (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:6-b - Child's Welfare and Findings Regarding Removal.

    169-C:6-b Child's Welfare and Findings Regarding Removal. –||I. The court shall, in its first court ruling that sanctions, even temporarily, the removal of a child from the home, determine whether continuation in the home is contrary to the child's welfare.||II. The court shall within 60 days of a child's removal from the home, determine and issue written findings as to whether reasonable efforts were made or were not required to prevent the child's removal. In determining whether reasonable efforts were made to prevent the child's removal, the court shall consider whether services to the family have been accessible, available, and appropriate.||III. If the court orders that a child be removed from his or her home at the preliminary hearing under RSA 169-C:15, the adjudicatory hearing under RSA 169-C:18, the dispositional hearing under RSA 169-C:19, or the final hearing under RSA 169-C:21, the court order for removal shall include specific written findings regarding the need for the out-of-home placement. The order shall briefly state the facts the court found to exist that justify ordering the placement.||IV. If the order does not comply with the requirements of paragraph III, the judge shall make a written finding to justify the out-of-home placement. Providing a copy of the order, redacted to protect the identity of the parties and children, to the members of the house committee having jurisdiction over child and family issues shall not be considered a violation of RSA 169-C:25.|||Source. 2007, 236:9, eff. Jan. 1, 2008. 2017, 134:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:7 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:7 - Petition.

    169-C:7 Petition. –||I. A proceeding under this chapter is originated by any person filing a petition, with a judge or clerk in the judicial district in which the child is found or resides, alleging neglect or abuse of a child.||II. The petition shall be entitled "In the Matter of __________," and shall be verified under oath by the petitioner.||III. To be legally sufficient, the petition shall set forth the facts alleged to constitute abuse or neglect, and the statutory grounds upon which the petition is based.||IV. In addition, the petition shall also include, to the extent known:||(a) The name, birth date, and address of the child.||(b) The name and address of any custodial parent.||(c) The name and address of any other individual or agency having custody of the child.||(d) The name of any non-custodial parent.||(e) The name of any household member who is subject to the order.|||Source. 1979, 361:2. 1990, 240:3. 1994, 411:5, 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:7-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:7-a - Petition for Protective Order Filed on Behalf of Minor.

    169-C:7-a Petition for Protective Order Filed on Behalf of Minor. –||I. (a) A parent or guardian may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of a minor, alleging abuse of the minor by a member of the minor's family or household. The court shall not accept a petition under this section that is filed by a child's parent against the other parent. Any order issued under this chapter may be in addition to an order issued under RSA 173-B and any proceeding initiated under this chapter may be consolidated with a proceeding under RSA 173-B.||(b) Any minor plaintiff who seeks a protective order under this chapter need not be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive relief or services under this chapter.||II. A guardian may file a petition for a protective order on behalf of his or her ward, alleging abuse of the ward by a member of the ward's family or household.||III. Any acts of abuse or neglect alleged in a petition shall be referred to the department pursuant to this chapter.|||Source. 2019, 109:2, eff. June 21, 2019.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:8 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:8 - Issuance of Summons and Notice.

    169-C:8 Issuance of Summons and Notice. –||I. After a petition has been filed or an ex parte order issued, the court shall issue a summons to all persons named in the petition to be served by a law enforcement officer personally, or if personal service is not possible, at their usual place of abode. Such summons shall require the person or persons having custody or control of the child to appear personally, unless otherwise ordered, before the court at a time and place set for a preliminary hearing, which shall not be less than 24 hours nor more than 7 days after return of service of the petition.||II. A copy of the petition shall be attached to each summons or incorporated therein.||III. The summons shall contain a notice that the child shall have a guardian ad litem, appointed by the court. The summons shall also state as follows: "With limited exception, the department of health and human services shall be responsible for the cost of services provided under this chapter. RSA 186-C regarding children with disabilities grants children and their parents certain rights to services from school districts at public expense and to appeal school district decisions regarding services to be provided."||IV. The summons shall also contain a description and explanation of the proceedings and a statement of the rights of the person or persons summoned, under this chapter, RSA 170-C, and under the rules of court.|||Source. 1979, 361:2. 1983, 458:8. 1990, 140:2, X. 1991, 214:1. 1994, 411:7. 1995, 308:65. 2007, 236:10. 2008, 274:31, eff. July 1, 2008. 2020, 26:20, eff. July 1, 2020.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:8-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:8-a - Notice of Petition to Department of Health and Human Services.

    169-C:8-a Notice of Petition to Department of Health and Human Services. –||The court shall serve the department of health and human services with a copy of any petition filed under RSA 169-C:7 and the department shall have legal standing at and receive notice of all proceedings under this chapter from the time of said service.|||Source. 1995, 308:66; 310:175, 181, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:9 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:9 - Failure to Appear; Warrant.

    169-C:9 Failure to Appear;  Warrant. –||I. Any person or persons summoned having custody or control of the child who, without reasonable cause, fails to appear, may be proceeded against for contempt of court.||II. In case the summons cannot be served, or the parties served fail to appear, or in the case when it appears to the court that service will be ineffectual, or that the best interest of the child requires that he be brought forthwith into the custody of the court, a warrant may be issued for the child's appearance against anyone having custody or control of the child.|||Source. 1979, 361:2, eff. Aug. 22, 1979.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:10 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:10 - Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem.

    169-C:10 Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem. –||I. In cases brought pursuant to this chapter involving a neglected or abused child, the court shall appoint a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or other approved program guardian ad litem for the child. If a CASA or other approved program guardian ad litem is unavailable for appointment, the court may then appoint an attorney or other guardian ad litem as the guardian ad litem for the child. The court shall not appoint an attorney for any guardian ad litem appointed for the child. The CASA or other approved program guardian ad litem shall have the same authority and access to information as any other guardian ad litem. For purposes of this paragraph, "unavailable for appointment" means that there is no CASA or other approved program guardian ad litem available for appointment by the court following a finding of reasonable cause at the preliminary hearing held under RSA 169-C:15 so that the child's interests may effectively be represented in preparation for and at an adjudicatory hearing.||II. (a) In cases involving a neglected or abused child under this chapter, where the child's expressed interests conflict with the recommendation for dispositional orders of the guardian ad litem, the court may appoint an attorney to represent the interests of the child. In any case of neglect or abuse brought pursuant to this chapter, the court shall appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child. In addition, the court may appoint an attorney to represent an indigent parent not alleged to have neglected or abused his or her child if the parent is a household member and such independent legal representation is necessary to protect the parent's interest. The court shall not appoint an attorney to represent any other persons involved in a case brought under this chapter.||(b) When an attorney is appointed as counsel for a child, representation may include counsel and investigative, expert and other services, including process to compel the attendance of witnesses, as may be necessary to protect the rights of the child.||III. The New Hampshire supreme court shall adopt rules regarding the duties and responsibilities of the CASA guardian ad litem or other guardian ad litem appointed for the child.|||Source. 1979, 361:2. 1995, 308:67. 1997, 292:2. 2011, 224:75, 77. 2013, 144:60, eff. July 1, 2013.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:10-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:10-a - Repealed by 1996, 248:10, eff. Jan. 2, 1997.

    169-C:10-a Repealed by 1996, 248:10, eff. Jan. 2, 1997. –|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:11 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:11 - Subpoena.

    169-C:11 Subpoena. –||A subpoena may be issued pursuant to RSA 516, or upon application of a party to the proceedings, or upon the motion of the court. The court may issue subpoenas requiring the production of papers and the attendance of any person whose presence is required by the child, his parents or guardian or any other person whose presence, in the opinion of the court, is necessary.|||Source. 1979, 361:2, eff. Aug. 22, 1979.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:12 (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:12 - Evidence.

    169-C:12 Evidence. –||In any hearing under this chapter, the court shall not be bound by the technical rules of evidence and may admit evidence which it considers relevant and material. Evidence of prior founded or unfounded reports of abuse or neglect shall be admissible in proceedings under this chapter in order to establish a relevant pattern or course of conduct.|||Source. 1979, 361:2, eff. Aug. 22, 1979. 2017, 156:201, eff. July 1, 2017.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:12-a (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:12-a - Testimony During Abuse and Neglect Proceedings.

    169-C:12-a Testimony During Abuse and Neglect Proceedings. –||Testimony by parents who are the subject of an abuse and neglect petition and who are alleged to have abused or neglected a child, which is given during proceedings under this chapter or during a fair hearing conducted by the department, shall not be admissible in criminal proceedings relating to such abuse or neglect allegations.|||Source. 1990, 240:4. 1995, 310:175, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:12-b (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:12-b - Filing Reports, Evaluations, and Other Records.

    169-C:12-b Filing Reports, Evaluations, and Other Records. –||All reports, evaluations, and other records from the department of health and human services, counselors, and guardians ad litem in proceedings under this chapter shall be filed with the court and all other parties at least 5 business days prior to any hearing. If a report, evaluation, or other record is not filed at least 5 business days prior to the hearing, a party may request, and the court shall grant, a continuance to a date certain which shall not be more than 10 days from the date of filing. Once filed with the court and given to all other parties, the report, evaluation, or other record need not be refiled during the proceeding. Failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall not be grounds for dismissal of the petition.|||Source. 1991, 57:2. 1994, 212:2. 1995, 310:181. 2006, 276:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.|
NH Rev Stat § 169-C:12-c (2021)
2021 New Hampshire Revised Statutes|Title XII - Public Safety and Welfare|Title 169-C - Child Protection Act|Section 169-C:12-c - Medical Examinations of Child.

    169-C:12-c Medical Examinations of Child. –||A parent who is the subject of an abuse or neglect petition not involving sexual abuse shall be entitled to request a medical examination of each child involved by a licensed physician of the parent's choice at the parent's expense within 72 hours of the first official notice of the complaint received by the parent. Where the department has assumed protective supervision or legal custody of the child and an examination of the child is necessary to verify or refute an allegation of injury, the department shall cooperate with the request and shall transport the child to the physician's office for examination provided that the physician's office is within a reasonable distance of the district office that is conducting the abuse or neglect investigation. The transportation of a child to a physician's office that is located within the state of New Hampshire shall be presumed to be reasonable under this section.|||Source. 2006, 276:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.|