RSA 21-V:10 · Oversight Commission on Children's Services Established

21-V:10 Oversight Commission on Children's Services Established. –

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I.

There shall be an oversight commission on children's services, which shall consist of the following members:

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(a)

Two members of the senate, appointed by the senate president.

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(b)

Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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(c)

Four members representing the executive branch, appointed by the governor.

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(d)

Two members representing the judicial branch, appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

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(e)

Two representatives of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, one of whom serves as chief of police for a city and one of whom serves as chief of police for a town.

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(f)

Two members of child advocacy organizations, appointed by the senate president.

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(g)

Two members of child advocacy organizations, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

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(h)

An individual who was formerly a recipient of child protection, juvenile justice, or voluntary services through the division, appointed by the governor.

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(i)

An individual who has served or is serving as a foster parent, appointed by the governor.

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(j)

One representative of Waypoint, appointed by that organization.

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(k)

One representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Hampshire, appointed by that organization.

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(l)

One representative of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, appointed by that organization.

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(m)

One member of the Parenting a Second Time Around support group, appointed by the YMCA of Greater Londonderry.

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II.

Legislative members of the commission shall serve a term coterminous with their term in office. Members appointed under subparagraphs (c)-(i) shall serve 3-year terms. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

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III.

The oversight commission shall:

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(a)

Recommend at least 3 qualified candidates to the governor, in rank order, for appointment to the position of child advocate; except that in the case of reappointment, a single recommendation shall be sufficient.

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(b)

Provide oversight to the office in its effort to support an effective, comprehensive, and coordinated system of services and programs for children, youth, and families.

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(c)

Review with the office the efficacy of selected programs and services of executive agencies, including the characteristics of target populations, trends affecting program costs and participation, and alternative approaches to programmatic and administrative concerns.

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(d)

Collaborate with the office to identify and implement best practices on behalf of children and families.

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(e)

Monitor and review implementation of the memorandum of understanding entered into by the department of health and human services and the department of justice regarding the collaboration between the agencies in the investigation and prosecution of abuse and neglect cases. (f)(1) Create a foster care oversight subcommittee from the existing members of the commission to:

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(A)

Provide oversight of foster care programs and services in its effort to support an effective, comprehensive, and coordinated system of services and programs for children, youth, and families;

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(B)

Review with the office of the child advocate the efficacy of foster care programs and services, trends affecting program costs and participation, and alternative approaches to programmatic and administrative concerns; and

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(C)

Identify best foster care practices on behalf of children and families, and recommend future legislation to the commission and the general court.

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(2)

The chair of the commission shall appoint a chair of the subcommittee, who shall be a legislative member, and at least 4 other members from the commission, and shall determine the annual report's scope of findings and due date.

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IV.

The oversight commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Eleven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. Source. 2020, 26:9, eff. Sept. 18, 2020. 2022, 266:2, 3, eff. June 24, 2022. 2025, 31:1, eff. May 14, 2025.

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