Bill > S170

This bill modifies North Carolina's juvenile court hearing procedures to enhance foster parents' rights to notification. Specifically, the bill requires that if a court decides to return a child from foster care to their parent during a permanency planning hearing, the current foster care provider must receive at least 48 hours of verbal notice before the child's return and be included in the transition planning when doing so is in the child's best interest. Additionally, the bill clarifies that if the foster care provider does not receive official notice of court hearings from the clerk, the Department of Social Services must provide verbal notice about upcoming hearings. These changes aim to improve communication with foster parents and ensure they are informed about significant decisions affecting the children in their care. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, giving state agencies time to implement the new notification requirements. While foster parents will be notified and can participate in transition planning, the bill explicitly states that receiving notice does not automatically make them a party to the legal proceedings.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S170