relative to aligning statutes with the age of a delinquent established under the juvenile delinquency statute.

SB 506 updates New Hampshire laws to align the age of juveniles with 18 rather than 17, affecting how minors are treated in the justice system and child welfare settings. The bill requires that individuals under 18 be considered children for various legal definitions, including school attendance, arrest record classification, and the duration of sex offender registration. It also mandates that criminal background checks for licensing residential care facilities must include all household members aged 18 or older. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that juveniles cannot be held in county correctional facilities for unpaid fines and sets specific age limits for shelter care facilities. These changes take effect on July 30, 2024.