North CarolinaHB 6122025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE LAWS AFFECTING JUVENILES AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES, COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS, REGIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS, CONSOLIDATED HUMAN SERVICES BOARDS AND AGENCIES, AND THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

Sponsored By: Vernetta Alston (Democratic), IV John R. Bell (Republican), Allen Chesser (Republican), Donnie Loftis (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ADOPTIONATTORNEYSBOARDSCHILD ABUSECHILD CUSTODYCOUNTIESCOURTSCRIMESCRIMINAL RECORDSDHHSEMPLOYMENTFOSTER CAREGUARDIANSHIPLOCAL GOVERNMENTMINORSOCCUPATIONSPERSONNELPRESENTEDPUBLICRATIFIEDSEX OFFENSESSOCIAL SERVICESSOCIAL SERVICES BOARDSSOCIAL SERVICES DEPTS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Cash help for kin guardians

North Carolina now pays kin and other legal guardians when a child exits foster care into guardianship. Payments match foster care room-and-board rates, and the State covers up to $2,000 in one-time legal costs. Help can continue up to age 21 if the youth met age and school, work, or medical rules at 16. Agreements are in writing and remain valid even if the guardian later lives out of State. The Social Services Commission must issue emergency rules so the program runs without delay.

Stronger child-abuse response and reviews

Starting October 1, 2025, counties must start abuse assessments within 24 hours and neglect or dependency assessments within 72 hours. Reporters get written updates within five working days and can ask for a fast review if a petition is not filed; reviews finish in 20 days. The law broadens who counts as an abused juvenile, including minor trafficking victims. Conflict-of-interest cases must be reassigned to another county, with notice to families. People placed on the responsible individuals list can get court review within one year in limited cases and can later petition for expungement after meeting the law’s time rules. The State health department can inspect any county’s child welfare records and order fixes.

Stronger criminal protections for victims

Starting December 1, 2025, felony child-abuse penalties are clearer and tougher, including Class B2 for the most serious injuries. The law defines key terms like grossly negligent omission and serious bodily injury. Also starting December 1, 2025, judges can issue permanent no-contact orders at sentencing for sex violent offenses. Orders can ban threats, electronic contact, and entry to home or work, and can be changed later if fear no longer exists.

Faster permanency and stricter visit rules

Courts hold the first review or permanency hearing within 90 days and then at least every six months. Parents are expected to finish court-ordered services within 12 months unless extraordinary reasons exist. If a clinician recommends a traditional foster home or Level I group home, the county must make that placement within five business days. Before unsupervised visits or returning custody, staff must observe two visits of at least one hour each, seven days apart, within 30 days of the hearing. If a child lived with a caretaker for 12 months and the caretaker objects to removal, the court holds a hearing within 30 days and hears from the caretaker. Guardians become parties, the court can resolve co-guardian breakups, minor parents get a guardian ad litem, and there is a clear process to seek reinstatement of parental rights.

Parental support orders and paused arrears

Courts can order parents to pay a reasonable sum for a child’s support when custody is with someone else and the parent can pay. If a parent cannot pay and the child is in county custody, the county pays support costs unless the child is in a State or federal institution. Starting October 1, 2025, child support does not build arrears in certain times: after the death of the child or supporting parent, when the child lives with the supporting parent by order, when the parent is jailed with no resources, or when the child is in DSS custody and the State owes foster care help.

Faster hospital help, possible cost orders

Hospitals must quickly contact county social services when a child in custody comes to the ER and is not there under commitment. The director must notify the health plan within 24 hours and an assessment must occur within three business days. If a doctor says the child must stay 12 hours and a parent will not consent or cannot be found, the director must file for nonsecure custody within that 12-hour window. Any party can ask the court to review an unnecessary hospital stay; the court hears it within 10 business days, issues an order within 72 hours, and reviews again within 30 days. The court can order the responsible party to pay hospital charges or damages after a stay is no longer medically needed. By April 1, 2026, the State issues uniform hospital case-management rules and requires at least five days’ notice of related court hearings to hospitals.

Quicker emergency custody and court rules

Counties must always have a judge or delegated magistrate available to issue nonsecure custody orders. When the clerk’s office is closed, a magistrate can accept emergency petitions and signed orders take effect at once. Courts can use phone communications for urgent custody actions if other means are not practical. Juvenile court keeps jurisdiction until it ends it, the youth turns 18 or is emancipated, or the youth dies. Moving a case to another county does not change who the petitioner is unless a conflict requires it. Foster parents are not automatic parties and can intervene only in limited cases.

Stronger legal review for social services

County social services must be represented by designated legal counsel in these juvenile cases. That lawyer must complete at least six hours of training on child welfare law before appearing, starting April 1, 2026. When a director files certain petitions, department counsel must also sign or the director must attest counsel reviewed the filing. This adds a legal check before key petitions go to court.

Court-approved post-adoption contact agreements

Starting October 1, 2025, parents and adoptive families can use a court-approved, mediated post-adoption contact agreement. The juvenile court reviews signed agreements within two business days; the civil filing fee is waived unless the court orders otherwise. Records are sealed and contact ends at age 18 or emancipation. Only signers can enforce the agreement, and courts can only limit or end contact, not add more than agreed. Adoptive parents keep decision-making rights except as stated in the order.

Background checks for local child workers

Starting October 1, 2025, local governments must require a State Bureau of Investigation criminal history check for any job that works with children. Employers may give a conditional job offer while the check is pending. This adds screening to protect children and can affect hiring timelines and eligibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Eric Ager
Democratic • House
Jonathan L. Almond
Republican • House
Amber M. Baker
Democratic • House
Cynthia Ball
Democratic • House
Mary Belk
Democratic • House
Jerry "Alan" Branson
Republican • House
William D. Brisson
Republican • House
Cecil Brockman
Democratic • House
Allen Buansi
Democratic • House
Deb Butler
Democratic • House
Celeste C. Cairns
Republican • House
MD Grant L. Campbell
Republican • House
Becky Carney
Democratic • House
Carson Smith
Republican • House
Todd Carver
Republican • House
Maria Cervania
Democratic • House
Charles Smith
Democratic • House
Mike Clampitt
Republican • House
Tracy Clark
Democratic • House
Tricia Ann Cotham
Republican • House
Sarah Crawford
Democratic • House
Carla D. Cunningham
Independent • House
Allison A. Dahle
Democratic • House
Jimmy Dixon
Republican • House
Brian Echevarria
Republican • House
Rodney D. Pierce
Democratic • House
Wyatt Gable
Republican • House
Julia Greenfield
Democratic • House
Pricey Harrison
Democratic • House
Zack Hawkins
Democratic • House
Beth Helfrich
Democratic • House
Chris Humphrey
Republican • House
Cody Huneycutt
Republican • House
B. Ray Jeffers
Democratic • House
Todd Johnson
Republican • Senate
Monika Johnson-Hostler
Democratic • House
Kanika Brown
Democratic • House
Ya Liu
Democratic • House
Tim Longest
Democratic • House
Jordan Lopez
Democratic • House
John L. Lowery
Republican • House
Jeffrey C. McNeely
Republican • House
Charles W. Miller
Republican • House
Marcia Morey
Democratic • House
Jr. Ben T. Moss
Republican • House
Brent Jackson
Republican • Senate
Jr. Howard Penny
Republican • House
Ray Pickett
Republican • House
Larry W. Potts
Republican • House
Lindsey Prather
Democratic • House
Jr. A. Reece Pyrtle
Republican • House
MD Timothy Reeder
Republican • House
Heather H. Rhyne
Republican • House
Phil Rubin
Democratic • House
Mike Schietzelt
Republican • House
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Mitchell S. Setzer
Republican • House
Phil Shepard
Republican • House
Larry C. Strickland
Republican • House
Kanika Brown
Democratic • House
John A. Torbett
Republican • House
Brian Turner
Democratic • House
Steve Tyson
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Harry Warren
Republican • House
Diane Wheatley
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House
Shelly Willingham
Democratic • House
David Willis
Republican • House
Matthew Winslow
Republican • House
Jeff Zenger
Republican • House
Julie von Haefen
Democratic • House