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 be appointed by the governor and executive council, upon the recommendation of the oversight commission.
III. The child advocate shall serve a term of 4 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the position shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
IV. Upon any vacancy in the position of the child advocate, and until such time as a candidate has been appointed by the governor and council, the associate child advocate shall serve as the acting child advocate and be entitled to the compensation, privileges, and powers of the child advocate.
V. Any person appointed to the position of child advocate shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability, and shall possess a professional graduate degree in law, social work, public health, or a related field and be qualified by reason of education, experience, and expertise to perform the duties of the office.
VI. The child advocate may be removed from office for cause pursuant to RSA 4:1.
VII. The child advocate shall appoint an associate child advocate, and may, subject to appropriation, appoint such other personnel as the child advocate deems necessary for the efficient management of the office. The duties of these personnel shall be performed under and by the advice and direction of the child advocate.