490:26-f Guardian Ad Litem Services. –
I. Unless otherwise provided by law, whenever a guardian ad litem is appointed or ancillary services are approved pursuant to statutory authority or court order and the responsible party or parents are indigent, the state of New Hampshire shall be responsible for compensation for such services from the general fund.
II. Notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, the state, by the judicial council, may contract with any person qualified under the supreme court rules to provide guardian ad litem, ancillary, or legal services pursuant to statutory authority or court order, or with any organization approved by the supreme court to provide guardian ad litem, ancillary, or legal services. No such contract shall be effective for longer than 2 years.
III. Any guardian ad litem or guardian ad litem program shall be subject to supreme court competence and performance regulations.
IV. Notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, the supreme court and executive departments statutorily responsible for compensation of guardian ad litem, ancillary, or legal services, when the responsible party or parents are indigent or the court otherwise appoints a guardian ad litem or such attorney, are authorized to effectuate budgetary transfer of funds appropriated for such services between and among themselves as they deem necessary.
V. The executive director of the judicial council, the commissioner of the department of health and human services, or the judicial branch, as may be appropriate, may authorize payments to such persons or organizations provided for under this section.