GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

 

 

SESSION LAW 2015-135

SENATE BILL 423

 

 

AN ACT to align State law with federal law by providing for the support of healthy development of youth in foster care through implementation of a reasonable and prudent parent standard for decisions made by a foster parent or a designated official for a child care institution and revising the laws pertaining to abuse, neglect, and dependency regarding juvenile placement under the juvenile code; to provide liability insurance for foster parents; to reduce barriers to obtaining a drivers license for foster children and by clarifying that foster parents do not violate financial responsibility requirements by allowing foster children with their own insurance coverage to operate a vehicle owned by the foster parent; and to REQUIRe THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY A medicaid waiver for children with serious emotional disturbance.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

PART I. SHORT TITLE

SECTION 1.1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Foster Care Family Act."

 

PART II. REASONABLE AND PRUDENT PARENT STANDARD IN FOSTER CARE

SECTION 2.1.  Part 1 of Article 1A of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 131D‑10.2A.  Reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(a)        The reasonable and prudent parent standard is the standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that are reasonably intended to maintain the health, safety, and best interests of the child while at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child that a caregiver shall use when determining whether to allow a child in foster care under the responsibility of the State to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.

(b)        Every child care institution shall designate an on‑site official who is authorized to apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard pursuant to this section.

(c)        A caregiver, including the child's foster parent, whether the child is in a family foster home or a therapeutic foster home, or the designated official at a child care institution where the child is placed, or the county department of social services, must use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when determining whether to allow a child in foster care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities.

(d)        A caregiver, including the child's foster parent, whether the child is in a family foster home or a therapeutic foster home, may be held liable for an act or omission of the child if the caregiver fails to act in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard under this section.  To the extent it may be applicable, the liability of a county department of social services, or the Department of Health and Human Services, shall be strictly adjudicated according to and in compliance with the terms of G.S. 153A‑435, et seq., or G.S. 143‑291, et seq., as applicable. Nothing in this subsection is intended to abrogate or diminish the qualified immunities of public officials acting in the course and scope of their employment.

(e)        Unless otherwise ordered by a court with jurisdiction pursuant to G.S. 7B‑200, a caregiver, including the child's foster parent, whether the child is in a family foster home or a therapeutic foster home, exercising the reasonable and prudent parent standard has the authority to provide or withhold permission, without prior approval of the court or a county department of social services, to allow a child in foster care, in the custody of a county department of social services, or under the placement authority of a county department of social services through a voluntary placement agreement to participate in normal childhood activities. Normal childhood activities shall include, but are not limited to, extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities and may include overnight activities outside the direct supervision of the caregiver for periods of over 24 hours and up to 72 hours.

(f)         The caregiver, including the child's foster parent, whether the child is in a family foster home or a therapeutic foster home, or the designated official at a child care institution where the child is placed, shall not be liable for injuries to the child that occur as a result of acting in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

(g)        The immunity provided in subsection (f) of this section does not apply if it is determined that the injuries to the child were caused by gross negligence, willful and wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing, or arose out of the operation of a motor vehicle. Any liability under this subsection that may be attributable to either the county department of social services or the Department of Health and Human Services shall be strictly adjudicated according to and in compliance with the terms of G.S. 153A‑435, et seq., or G.S. 143‑291, et seq., as applicable. Nothing in this subsection is intended to abrogate or diminish the qualified immunities of public officials acting in the course and scope of their employment.

(h)        For any action under this section, the burden of proof with respect to a breach of the reasonable and prudent parent standard shall be by clear and convincing evidence."

SECTION 2.2.  G.S. 7B‑505(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      The court shall order the department of social services to make diligent efforts to notify relatives and any custodial parents of the juvenile's siblings that the juvenile is in nonsecure custody and of any hearings scheduled to occur pursuant to G.S. 7B‑506, unless the court finds such notification would be contrary to the best interests of the juvenile. In placing a juvenile in nonsecure custody under this section, the court shall first consider whether a relative of the juvenile is willing and able to provide proper care and supervision of the juvenile in a safe home. If the court finds that the relative is willing and able to provide proper care and supervision in a safe home, then the court shall order placement of the juvenile with the relative unless the court finds that placement with the relative would be contrary to the best interests of the juvenile."

SECTION 2.3.  G.S. 7B‑800.1(a)(4) reads as rewritten:

"(a)       Prior to the adjudicatory hearing, the court shall consider the following:

…

(4)        Whether relativesrelatives, parents, or other persons with legal custody of a sibling of the juvenile have been identified and notified as potential resources for placement or support."

SECTION 2.4.  G.S. 7B‑901 reads as rewritten:

"§ 7B‑901.  Dispositional hearing.

The dispositional hearing shall take place immediately following the adjudicatory hearing and shall be concluded within 30 days of the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing. The dispositional hearing may be informal and the court may consider written reports or other evidence concerning the needs of the juvenile. The juvenile and the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian shall have the right to present evidence, and they may advise the court concerning the disposition they believe to be in the best interests of the juvenile. The court may consider any evidence, including hearsay evidence as defined in G.S. 8C‑1, Rule 801, including testimony or evidence from any person who is not a party, that the court finds to be relevant, reliable, and necessary to determine the needs of the juvenile and the most appropriate disposition. The court may exclude the public from the hearing unless the juvenile moves that the hearing be open, which motion shall be granted.

At the dispositional hearing, the court shall inquire as to the identity and location of any missing parent and whether paternity is at issue. The court shall include findings of the efforts undertaken to locate the missing parent and to serve that parent and efforts undertaken to establish paternity when paternity is an issue. The order may provide for specific efforts in determining the identity and location of any missing parent and specific efforts in establishing paternity. The court shall also inquire about efforts made to identify and notify relatives relatives, parents, or other persons with legal custody of a sibling of the juvenile, as potential resources for placement or support."

SECTION 2.5.  Article 9 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 7B‑903.1.  Juvenile placed in custody of a department of social services.

(a)        Except as prohibited by federal law, the director of a county department of social services with custody of a juvenile shall be authorized to make decisions about matters not addressed herein that are generally made by a juvenile's custodian, including, but not limited to, educational decisions and consenting to the sharing of the juvenile's information. The court may delegate any part of this authority to the juvenile's parent, foster parent, or another individual.

(b)        When a juvenile is in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services, the placement provider may, in accordance with G.S. 131D‑10.2A, provide or withhold permission, without prior approval of the court or county department of social services, to allow a juvenile to participate in normal childhood activities. If such authorization is not in the juvenile's best interest, the court shall set out alternative parameters for approving normal childhood activities.

(c)        If a juvenile is removed from the home and placed in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services, the director shall not allow unsupervised visitation with or return physical custody of the juvenile to the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker without a hearing at which the court finds that the juvenile will receive proper care and supervision in a safe home.

(d)        When a county department of social services having custody or placement responsibility of a juvenile intends to change the juvenile's placement, the department shall give the guardian ad litem for the juvenile notice of its intention unless precluded by emergency circumstances from doing so. Where emergency circumstances exist, the department of social services shall notify the guardian ad litem or the attorney advocate within 72 hours of the placement change, unless local rules require notification within a shorter time period."

SECTION 2.6.  Article 9 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 7B‑912.  Juveniles 14 years of age and older; Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement.

(a)        In addition to the permanency planning requirements under G.S. 7B‑906.1, at every permanency planning hearing for a juvenile in the custody of a county department of social services who has attained the age of 14 years, the court shall inquire and make written findings regarding each of the following:

(1)        The services provided to assist the juvenile in making a transition to adulthood.

(2)        The steps the county department of social services is taking to ensure that the foster family or other licensed placement provider follows the reasonable and prudent parent standard as provided in G.S. 131D‑10.2A.

(3)        Whether the juvenile has regular opportunities to engage in age‑appropriate or developmentally appropriate activities.

(b)        At or before the last scheduled permanency planning hearing, but at least 90 days before a juvenile attains 18 years of age, the court shall (i) inquire as to whether the juvenile has a copy of the juvenile's birth certificate, Social Security card, health insurance information, drivers license or other identification card, and any educational or medical records the juvenile requests and (ii) determine the person or entity that should assist the juvenile in obtaining these documents before the juvenile attains the age of 18 years.

(c)        If the court finds each of the following conditions applies, the court shall approve Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) as defined by P.L. 113‑183, as the juvenile's primary permanent plan:

(1)        The juvenile is 16 or 17 years old.

(2)        The county department of social services has made diligent efforts to place the juvenile permanently with a parent or relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement.

(3)        Compelling reasons exist that it is not in the best interest of the juvenile to be placed permanently with a parent or relative or in a guardianship or adoptive placement.

(4)        APPLA is the best permanency plan for the juvenile.

(d)        If the court approves APPLA as the juvenile's permanent plan, the court shall, after questioning the juvenile, make written findings addressing the juvenile's desired permanency outcome."

 

PART III. LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR FOSTER PARENTS

SECTION 3.1.  Article 36 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 58‑36‑44.  Development of policy form or endorsement for personal liability insurance for foster parents.

(a)        The Rate Bureau shall develop an optional policy form or endorsement to be filed with the Commissioner for approval no later than May 1, 2016, that provides liability insurance for foster parents licensed under Article 1A of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes to provide foster care in a family foster home or therapeutic foster home. The policy form or endorsement shall provide coverage for acts or omissions of the foster parent while the parent is acting in the foster parent's capacity as a foster parent in a licensed family foster home or therapeutic foster home licensed under Article 1A of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes.

(b)        Nothing in this section is intended to require that the liability insurance policy or endorsement required by this section cover an act or omission that results from any action or inaction of gross negligence, willful and wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that results in injury to the child."

 

PART IV. REDUCE DRIVING BARRIERS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

SECTION 4.1.  Article 1 of Chapter 48A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 48A‑4.  Certain minors competent to contract.

A minor who is 16 years of age or older and who is in the legal custody of the county department of social services shall be qualified and competent to contract for the purchase of an automobile insurance policy with the consent of the court with continuing jurisdiction over the minor's placement under G.S. 7B‑1000(b). The minor shall be responsible for paying the costs of the insurance premiums and shall be liable for damages caused by the minor's negligent operation of a motor vehicle. No State or local government agency, foster parent, or entity providing services to the minor under contract or at the direction of a State or local government agency shall be responsible for paying any insurance premiums or liable for damages of any kind as a result of the operation of a motor vehicle by the minor."

SECTION 4.2.  G.S. 20‑11(i) reads as rewritten:

"(i)        Application. — An application for a permit or license authorized by this section must be signed by both the applicant and another person. That person must be:

(1)        The applicant's parent or guardian;

(2)        A person approved by the applicant's parent or guardian; or

(3)        A person approved by the Division.

(4)        With respect to minors in the legal custody of the county department of social services, any of the following:

a.         A guardian ad litem or attorney advocate appointed to advocate for the minor under G.S. 7B‑601.

b.         The director of the county department of social services or the director's designee.

c.         If no person listed in sub‑subdivision a. or b. of this subdivision is available, the court with continuing jurisdiction over the minor's placement under G.S. 7B‑1000(b)."

SECTION 4.3.  G.S. 20‑309 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(a2)     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, an owner's policy of liability insurance issued to a foster parent or parents, which policy includes an endorsement excluding coverage for one or more foster children residing in the foster parent's or parents' household, may be certified as proof of financial responsibility, provided that each foster child for whom coverage is excluded is insured in an amount equal to or greater than the minimum limits required by G.S. 20‑279.21 under some other owner's policy of liability insurance or a named nonowner's policy of liability insurance. The North Carolina Rate Bureau shall establish, with the approval of the Commissioner of Insurance, a named driver exclusion endorsement or endorsements for foster children as described herein."

SECTION 4.4.  G.S. 20‑279.21(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      Such Except as provided in G.S. 20‑309(a2), such owner's policy of liability insurance:

…."

 

PART V. STUDY MEDICAID WAIVER FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE

SECTION 5.1.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, shall design and draft, but not submit, a 1915(c) Medicaid waiver to serve children with Serious Emotional Disturbance in home and community‑based settings. The Department may submit drafts of the waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to solicit feedback but shall not submit the waiver for CMS approval until authorized by the General Assembly.

SECTION 5.1.(b)  The Department shall report the draft waiver, other findings, and any other options or recommendations to best serve children with Serious Emotional Disturbance to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by December 1, 2015. Specifically, the report shall provide an in‑depth analysis of the cost per slot, including an analysis of the estimated number of waiver recipients who would be transitioned from a facility to a home and community‑based setting and the estimated number of waiver recipients who would avoid placement in a facility.

 

PART VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 6.1.  Parts 2 and 4 of this act become effective October 1, 2015. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 24^th day of June, 2015.

 

 

                                                                    s/  Daniel J. Forest

                                                                         President of the Senate

 

 

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

 

 

                                                                    s/  Pat McCrory

                                                                         Governor

 

 

Approved 9:00 a.m. this 2^nd day of July, 2015