Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

H.B. 665
                           GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
                                                                                                Apr 17, 2023
                                       SESSION 2023                                       HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
     H                                                                                                   D
                                    HOUSE BILL DRH40358-NBa-155
     Short Title:    Foster Parent Ombudsman.                                                      (Public)
     Sponsors:       Representative Torbett.
     Referred to:
                                      A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE FOSTER PARENT OMBUDSMAN OFFICE WITHIN THE
     DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
              SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding
 a new Part to read:
                              "Part 6A. Foster Parent Ombudsman Office.
 "§ 143B-157.1. Foster Parent Ombudsman.
     (a)      There is hereby established the Foster Parent Ombudsman within the Department of
 Health and Human Services. The Office shall report directly to the Secretary of Health and
 Human Services and is empowered to assist foster parents with issues and resolve conflicts
 related to the licensing of family and therapeutic foster homes, the placement of children in foster
 care, adoption procedures, and other related matters. The Office shall advocate on behalf of foster
 parents in this State and support their rights to ensure their voices are heard and concerns are
 addressed. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall select a person who is qualified
 with unique experience in foster care State and federal laws and rules to serve as the Ombuds.
 The Office shall coordinate with all State and federal agencies, including the Department of
 Health and Human Services, the Social Services Commission, and local county departments of
 social services, to effectuate the purpose of the Office as described in this Part.
     (b)      The Office shall also perform the following duties:
              (1)     Disseminate and advertise information to foster parents on the rights of foster
                      parents in this State, and seek to educate foster parents about State and federal
                      laws and rules applicable to their situation.
              (2)     Investigate and attempt to resolve hindrances and issues for families or
                      individuals seeking approval for licensure as a family foster home or
                      therapeutic foster home and current foster parents navigating compliance with
                      existing State and federal laws and rules.
              (3)     Assist foster parents with waiver applications for licensure, if applicable.
              (4)     Offer classes or instructional videos to foster parents to assist in the licensure
                      process.
              (5)     Identify resources for foster parents seeking licensure approval, modification
                      of foster homes, or other support resources.
              (6)     Gather and review all relevant information when receiving a complaint or
                      inquiry.
              (7)     Formulate a process for mediation between parties.
                                   *DRH40358-NBa-155*
     General Assembly Of North Carolina                                                   Session 2023
     (c)     In exercising duties under this Part, the Office shall operate in a neutral manner and
 complete comprehensive, unbiased views of matters using all relevant information to make
 recommendations for action, if necessary.
     (d)     All communication between the Office and prospective foster parents or individuals
 seeking assistance from the Office shall be confidential and shall not be considered public records
 under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.
     (e)     By October 1 of each year, the Office shall compile data and submit it to the
 Department of Health and Human Services detailing the number of inquiries and complaints
 handled by the Office and trends in recurring issues for foster parents and local county
 departments of social services. Any information contained in the report shall not be able to be
 used to identify any individual or foster parent. The Department shall use the data to submit a
 report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services no later than
 November 1 of each year."
             SECTION 2. There is appropriated the recurring sum of one hundred thirty-seven
 thousand dollars ($137,000) for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and one hundred forty-five thousand
 dollars ($145,000) for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services
 to establish the Foster Parent Ombudsman Office and hire one full-time equivalent employee.
             SECTION 3. The Department of Health and Human Services shall have the Office
 operational by January 1, 2024, and shall engage in appropriate rulemaking to implement the
 provisions of this act.
             SECTION 4. Section 1 and Section 2 of this act become effective July 1, 2023. The
 remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.
     Page 2                                                                      DRH40358-NBa-155