A minor who is 16 years of age or older and who is in the legal custody of the department of health and human services pursuant to an order from a court of competent jurisdiction shall be deemed qualified and competent to contract for the opening of a checking or savings account with a bank or credit union upon the written consent of the department or pursuant to an order rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Such consent may be conditional to a maximum dollar amount for protection of public benefits available to the minor or other such protective action as required. The minor shall be responsible for paying all banking-related costs associated with the checking or savings account and shall be liable for any and all penalties should he or she violate a banking agreement. The department, foster parent, court appointed guardian or entity providing case management of children on behalf of a department shall not be responsible for paying any bank fees nor liable for any and all penalties related to violation of a banking agreement made under this section. The commissioner may adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, as necessary to implement the purposes of this section.
RSA 170-E:51-a