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RSA 170-B:2 · Definitions

Title
XII: PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE
Chapter
170-B · ADOPTION
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
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170-B:2 Definitions. – As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

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I.

"Adult" means an individual who is not a minor.

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II.

"Agency" means any person licensed by existing law to place minors for adoption.

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III.

"Birth father" means a person or persons other than a legal father who has been named, pursuant to RSA 170-B:6, as the father of the child, or who is the subject of a pending paternity action, or who has filed an unrevoked notice of intent to claim paternity of the child pursuant to RSA 170-B:6.

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IV.

"Birth mother" means a woman who gestates an embryo conceived by natural or artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, or preembryo transfer, or becomes a parent pursuant to RSA 168-B:12.

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V.

"Child" means a son or daughter, whether by birth or by adoption.

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VI.

"Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of health and human services.

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VII.

"Court" means probate court.

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VIII.

"Department" means the department of health and human services.

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IX.

"Guardian" means a person so appointed by the probate court.

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X.

"Legal father" means:

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(a)

The person designated as the father pursuant to RSA 5-C:24 on that child's birth certificate; or

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(b)

The person designated as the father pursuant to court order resulting from a paternity action;

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(c)

The person designated as the father upon legitimation pursuant to RSA 457:42; or

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(d)

The person that was determined by the court to be married to the birth mother at the time of either conception or birth or any time between conception and birth.

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XI.

"Minor" or "minor child" means any individual under the age of 18.

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XII.

"Parent" means mother, birth father, legal father, or adoptive parent, but such term shall not include a parent as to whom the parent-child relationship has been terminated by judicial decree or voluntarily surrender.

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XIII.

"Person" means an individual, corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity.

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XIV.

"Prospective adoptive parent" means the petitioner named on an adoption petition filed in the court.

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XV.

"Related child" means a child within the second degree of kinship either by blood or affinity. Relatives within the second degree includes step-parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, or uncles.

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XVI.

"Sibling" means one of 2 or more persons having a common parent.

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XVII.

"Surrender" means the release of all parental rights, including but not limited to care, custody, and control of the child, by a parent, legal guardian, or agency.

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XVIII.

"Voluntarily mediated agreement" means an agreement made through a court-approved mediation program between the department, birth parents, and prospective adoptive parents in contemplation of post-adoption sharing of information and/or contact regarding the adoption of a child who is either under the legal custody or guardianship of the department. Source. 2004, 255:1. 2005, 246:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; 268:5, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2020, 26:8, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.

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Source note

Source. 2004, 255:1. 2005, 246:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; 268:5, eff. Jan. 1, 2006. 2020, 26:8, eff. Jan. 1, 2021.

Source history

  • 2004, 255:1
  • 2005, 246:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; 268:5, eff. Jan. 1, 2006
  • 2020, 26:8, eff. Jan. 1, 2021

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB486 reference

    liance with a prior grandparent's visitation order. VI. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the rights of a child or natural parent or guardian under RSA 463 or adoptive parent under RSA 170-B:20. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. LBA 25-0802 12/28/24 HB 486-FN- FICAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT relative to grandparents' visitation rights. FISCAL IMPACT: The Legislat

  • 2026 HB486-FN related

    's visitation order. VI. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the rights of a child or natural parent or guardian under RSA 463 or adoptive parent under RSA 170-B:20. 2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage. LBA 25-0802 12/28/24 HB 486-FN- FICAL NOTE AS INTRODUCED AN ACT relative to grandparents' visitation rights. FISCAL IMPACT:

  • 2026 SB142 reference · effective 2026-01-01

    RSA 169-F. (g) Review of dispositional orders in juvenile cases under RSA 169-G. (h) The interstate compact on the placement of children under RSA 170-A. (i) Adoption under RSA 170-B. (j) Termination of parental rights under RSA 170-C. (k) Child day care, residential care, and child-placing agencies under RSA 170-E. (l) Services for children, youth, and families under RSA 170-G. (m) Parole o

  • 2026 SB142-FN reference · effective 2026-01-01

    RSA 169-F. (g) Review of dispositional orders in juvenile cases under RSA 169-G. (h) The interstate compact on the placement of children under RSA 170-A. (i) Adoption under RSA 170-B. (j) Termination of parental rights under RSA 170-C. (k) Child day care, residential care, and child-placing agencies under RSA 170-E. (l) Services for children, youth, and families under RSA 170-G. (m) Parole o

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