expanding access to court-appointed counsel for children in dependency proceedings.

This bill expands legal representation for children involved in New Hampshire child protection cases by requiring courts to appoint attorneys for specific vulnerable groups. The law mandates that a lawyer be assigned to represent the expressed interests of any child placed in a group home, child care institution, or state-operated residential treatment program, while also allowing counsel for children whose legal needs conflict with the recommendations of their existing advocates. To manage the transition, the legislation includes a phased implementation schedule that rolls out these appointments based on the child's age and the location of their placement, with full coverage targeted for July 2026. Additionally, appointed attorneys are granted specific rights to access the child's medical, educational, and psychological records to effectively advocate on their behalf.