Section 169-C:17 Consent Order.
I. At any time after the filing of the petition and prior to an order of adjudication pursuant to RSA 169-C:18, the court may approve a written agreement entered into among or between the parties.
II. A consent order shall not be approved unless the department consents and the child and parents, guardian, or custodian are informed of the consequences of the order by the court and the court determines that the child and parents voluntarily and intelligently consent to the terms and conditions of the order. A consent order under this section may include a finding of abuse or neglect; however, a finding of abuse or neglect shall not be required except where the consent order provides for out-of-home placement of the child.
III. Where a consent order includes a finding and provides for the out-of-home placement of a child, the order shall set a date for a permanency hearing that is within 12 months of the date of the court's approval of the consent order.
Source. 1979, 361:2. 1995, 308:68; 310:175, eff. Nov. 1, 1995. 2002, 152:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. 2007, 236:12, eff. Jan. 1, 2008.