nh-2026-171: Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice

1. Agency: Guardian ad Litem Board

Agency Address: Guardian ad Litem Board c/o Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord NH 03301

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: Gal 500 outlines ethical standards and standards of practice for guardian ad litems in New Hampshire. The Guardian Ad Litem Board (Board) is proposing to update the 500 rules to incorporate standards outlined in the Office of Professional Licensure’s (OPLC) Plc rules for determining sanctions. The Board is proposing to change throughout the rule set “he” and “she” pronouns to “they”. A licensee of the Board is currently a mandated reporter, and the current rules require the licensee to inform the Board of such activity. The Board is proposing to remove the Board from being an entity that the licensee shall inform as a mandated reporter. These rules are set to expire 10-21-26, but are subject to extension pursuant to RSA 541-A:14-a through the rulemaking process. X Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026 If yes, please explain: The Board is incorporating changes made by the legislature to the OPLC statutes in 2023 (2023 NH Ch. 112; 2023 NH HB 655). 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: Individuals governed by the Guardian Ad Litem Board. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: RULE STATUTE Gal 501.01 RSA 490-C: 4, I(e); RSA 490-C:5, I(e) Gal 501.02 RSA 490-C: 4, I(e) Gal 502.01 – Gal 502.10 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 490-C:5, I(e); RSA 541-A:16, I Gal 503.01 RSA 310:10, VII Gal 503.02 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 461-A:16; RSA 169-C:29; RSA 161-F:46 Gal 503.03 – Gal 503.06 RSA 490-C:4, I(e) Gal 503.07 – Gal 503.12 RSA 490-C:4, I(e) Gal 503.13 – Gal 503.14 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 490-C:5-b Gal 503.15 RSA 490-C:4, I(e) Gal 503.16 RSA 490-C:4, I(e) Gal 503.17 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 490-C:5-b Gal 504.01 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 490-C:5 Gal 504.02 RSA 490-C:4, I(e) Gal 504.03 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 461-A:5, II Gal 504.04 RSA 490-C:4, I(e); RSA 170-B:5; RSA 170-C:8; RSA 463:8 Gal 505.01 – Gal 505.02 RSA 490-C:4, I(e)

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Title: Administrative Rules Name: Carson Hansford Coordinator Address: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Phone Number: (603) 271-7809 7 Eagle Square Concord NH 03301 FAX Number: Email: oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 _ Fax X Email oplc-rules@oplc.nh.gov _ Other

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Time: 1:15 PM Place: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification 7 Eagle Square Concord NH 03301 Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:164, dated: Tuesday, August 11, 2026

1. Comparison of the costs of the proposed rule(s) to the existing rule(s):

There is no difference in costs when comparing the proposed rules to the existing rules.

2. Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds:

No federal mandate, no impact on state funds.

C. To independently owned businesses:

None. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: There are no costs associated with these rules. These rules do not apply to political subdivisions. These rules do not mandate or assign any new, expanded, or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision in such a way as to necessitate additional local expenditure, and therefore, do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 09/01/2026