North Carolina 2021-2022 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 518 — Protecting and Supporting NC's Children.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

40 added · 41 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 518, there were several adjustments for clarity and responsiveness to the needs of families involved in juvenile court proceedings. Key changes include specifying that a parent testing positive for drugs does not automatically strip them of visitation rights, which emphasizes the importance of careful evaluation of each case. Additionally, the bill mandates that permanency planning hearings occur more frequently, ensuring children’s safety and stability are regularly reassessed. These changes could help provide better support for families while maintaining child welfare standards.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Apr 5, 2021 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2021 S 1 SENATE BILL 518 Short Title:
518 SESSION 2021 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45292-NBa-38 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND VARIOUS ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY LAWS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS AND EXPEDITE PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HOME;
Rules and Operations of the Senate April 6, 2021 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND VARIOUS ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND DEPENDENCY LAWS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS AND EXPEDITE PERMANENCY PLANNING HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HOME;
As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words have the listed meanings:
As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearlyrequires otherwise, the following words have the listed meanings:
or Has participated or attempted to participate in the unlawful transfer ofcustodyof whomhas beenunlawfully transferred thejuvenile under G.S.
or Has participated or attempted to participate in the unlawful transfer ofcustodyof whomhas beenunlawfullytransferred thejuvenileunder G.S.
*DRS45292-NBa-38* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 Indeterminingwhetherajuvenileisaneglectedjuvenile,itisrelevantwhether that juvenile lives in a home where another juvenile has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect or lives in a home where another juvenile has been subjected to abuse or neglect by an adult who regularly lives in the home.
*S518-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 Indeterminingwhetherajuvenileisaneglectedjuvenile,itisrelevantwhether that juvenile lives in a home where another juvenile has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect or lives in a home where another juvenile has been subjected to abuse or neglect by an adult who regularly lives in the home.
Page 2 DRS45292-NBa-38 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 The confidential information or records shared pursuant to this subsection shall be the minimum necessary to satisfy the request.
Page 2 Senate Bill 518-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 The confidential information or records shared pursuant to this subsection shall be the minimum necessary to satisfy the request.
"(a4) If the court does not place the juvenile with a relative, the court may consider whether nonrelative kin or other persons with legal custody of a sibling of the juvenile are willing and able to provide proper care and supervision of the juvenile in a safe home.
"(a4) If the court does not place the juvenile with a relative, the court mayconsider whether nonrelative kin or other persons with legal custody of a sibling of the juvenile are willing and able to provide proper care and supervision of the juvenile in a safe home.
"(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.
"(c) If a juvenile is removed from the home and placed in the custody or placement responsibilityof 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.
Before a county department of social services may recommend unsupervised visits or return of physical custody of the juvenile juvenile, whichever occurs first, to the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker from whom the juvenile was removed, a county department ofsocial services shall first observethatparent, guardian,custodian, orcaretakerwith the juvenile for at least two visits that support a recommendation to return physical custody.
Before a county department of social services may recommend unsupervised visits or return of physical custody of the juvenile juvenile, whichever occurs first, to the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker from whom the juvenile was removed, a county department ofsocial services shall first observethatparent, guardian, custodian,orcaretakerwith the juvenile for at least two visits that support a recommendation to return physical custody.
A department of social services shall provide documentation of any DRS45292-NBa-38 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 observation visits that it conducts to the court for its consideration as to whether unsupervised visits or physical custody should be returned granted to the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker from whom the juvenile was removed." SECTION 1.(g) G.S.
A department of social services shall provide documentation of any Senate Bill 518-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 observation visits that it conducts to the court for its consideration as to whether unsupervised visits or physical custody should be returned granted to the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker from whom the juvenile was removed." SECTION 1.(g) G.S.
"(b1) When visitation, whether supervised or unsupervised, is ordered between a juvenile and the parent, a parent's positiveresult from a drug screen aloneis insufficient to deny the parent visitation with ajuvenile.Forparents with unsupervisedvisitation that haveapositiveresult from a drug screen, the department of social services shall file a motion within 30 days for the court to review the visitation plan to ensure the safety of the child.
"(b1) When visitation, whether supervised or unsupervised, is ordered between a juvenile and the parent, a parent's positiveresult from a drugscreen alone is insufficient to denythe parent visitation with ajuvenile.Forparents with unsupervisedvisitation that haveapositiveresult from a drug screen, the department of social services shall file a motion within 30 days for the court to review the visitation plan to ensure the safetyof the child.
If, at the time that visitation between theparent and thejuvenileoccurs, aparent is under theinfluenceofdrugsor alcohol, and exhibits behavior that may create an unsafe environment for a child, or the parent appears to be actively impaired, the visitation may be cancelled." SECTION 1.(h) G.S.
If, at the time that visitation between theparent and thejuvenileoccurs, aparent is under theinfluenceofdrugs or alcohol, and exhibits behavior that may create an unsafe environment for a child, or the parent appears to be actively impaired, the visitation may be cancelled." SECTION 1.(h) G.S.
(a) Thecourtshallconducta revieworpermanencyplanninghearingwithin90daysfrom the date of the initial dispositional hearing held pursuant to G.S.
(a) Thecourtshallconducta revieworpermanencyplanninghearingwithin90 daysfrom the date of the initial dispositional hearing held pursuant to G.S.
Review or permanency planning hearings shall be held at least every six months thereafter.
Review or permanency planning hearings shall be held at least everysix months thereafter.
The court shall provide any person providing care for the juvenile the opportunity to address the court regarding the juvenile's well-being.
The court shall provide anyperson providingcare for the juvenile the opportunityto address the court regarding the juvenile's well-being.
8C-1, Rule 801, or testimony or evidence from any person that 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.
8C-1, Rule 801, or testimonyor evidence from any person that 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.
If the juvenile is removed from the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian at a review hearing, the court shall schedule apermanencyplanning hearingwithin30days ofthereviewhearing.
If the juvenile is removed from the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian at a review hearing, the court shall scheduleapermanencyplanninghearingwithin30days ofthereviewhearing.
Page 4 DRS45292-NBa-38 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (1) At least one factor set forth in G.S.
Page 4 Senate Bill 518-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (1) At least one factor set forth in G.S.
Absent extraordinary circumstances, when the parent, guardian, or custodian has successfully completed the court-ordered services and the juvenile is residing in a safe home, the court shall terminate its jurisdiction in accordance with this subsection or G.S.
Absent extraordinarycircumstances, when the parent, guardian, or custodian has successfully completed the court-ordered services and the juvenile is residing in a safe home, the court shall terminate its jurisdiction in accordance with this subsection or G.S.
… (3) Where the juvenile's placement with a parent is unlikely within six months, whether adoption should be pursued and, if so, any barriers to the juvenile's adoption.adoption,including whenandif terminationofparental rights should be considered.
… (3) Where the juvenile's placement with a parent is unlikely within six months, whether adoption should be pursued and, if so, any barriers to the juvenile's adoption.adoption,includingwhen andifterminationofparental rights should be considered.
… (n) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article, the court may waive the holding of hearings required by this section, may require written reports to the court by the agency or person holding custody in lieu of review permanency planning hearings, or order that review permanency planning hearings beheld lessoftenthaneverysix months ifthe court findsby clear, cogent, and convincing evidence each of the following:
… (n) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Article, the court may waive the holding of hearings required bythis section, mayrequire written reports to the court bythe agencyor person holding custody in lieu of review permanency planning hearings, or order that review permanencyplanning hearings beheld lessoftenthaneverysix months ifthe court findsbyclear, cogent, and convincing evidence each of the following:
"(a) The Division of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, shall require a minimum of 30 hours of preservice training for foster care parents either prior to DRS45292-NBa-38 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 licensure or within six months from the date a provisional license is issued pursuant to G.S.131D-10.3, and a mandated minimum of 10 hours of continuing education for all foster care parents annually after the year in which a license is obtained.
"(a) The Division of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, shall require a minimum of 30 hours of preservice training for foster care parents either prior to Senate Bill 518-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 licensure or within six months from the date a provisional license is issued pursuant to G.S.131D-10.3, and a mandated minimum of 10 hours of continuing education for all foster care parents annually after the year in which a license is obtained.
The finding that reunification efforts clearly would be unsuccessful or inconsistent with the juvenile's health or safety may be made at any permanency planning hearing.
The finding that reunification efforts clearly would be unsuccessful or inconsistent with the juvenile's health or safetymaybe made at any permanencyplanning hearing.
(3) JeopardizetheState's abilitytoprosecutetheidentifiedresponsibleindividual.
(3) JeopardizetheState's abilityto prosecutetheidentifiedresponsibleindividual.
Retired districtand superiorcourtjudges may becomeemergencyjudges subject to recall to active service;
Retired districtand superiorcourtjudges maybecome emergencyjudges subject to recall to active service;
7A-51, or under the Uniform Judicial Retirement Act after having completed five years Page 6 DRS45292-NBa-38 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 of creditable service, may apply as provided in G.S.
7A-51, or under the Uniform Judicial Retirement Act after having completed five years Page 6 Senate Bill 518-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 of creditable service, may apply as provided in G.S.
all other emergency superior and special superior court judges shall be on an inactive list.
all other emergencysuperior and special superior court judges shall be on an inactive list.
The Chief Justice is requested to consider geographical distribution in assigning emergency judges to an active list but may utilize anyfactorindeterminingwhichemergencyjudgesareassignedtoanactivelist.TheChiefJustice of the Supreme Court may order any emergency district, superior, or special superior court judge on an active list who, in his opinion, is competent to perform the duties of a judge, to hold regular or special sessions of the court from which the judge retired, as needed.
The Chief Justice is requested to consider geographical distribution in assigning emergency judges to an active list but mayutilize anyfactorindeterminingwhichemergencyjudges areassignedtoan activelist.TheChiefJustice of the Supreme Court may order any emergency district, superior, or special superior court judge on an active list who, in his opinion, is competent to perform the duties of a judge, to hold regular or special sessions of the court from which the judge retired, as needed.
DRS45292-NBa-38 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (3) Substance-affected infants.
Senate Bill 518-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (3) Substance-affected infants.
SECTION 4.(b) The Division shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, andthechairsoftheSenateAppropriations Committeeon Health and Human Services by June 30, 2022, and each year thereafter for three successive years, on the hiring, training, and oversight of the RAMS as provided for in this section.
SECTION 4.(b) The Division shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, andthechairsoftheSenateAppropriations CommitteeonHealth and Human Services byJune 30, 2022, and each year thereafter for three successive years, on the hiring, training, and oversight of the RAMS as provided for in this section.
(6) A time line for implementation of the statewide CPS hotline that is aligned and coordinated with the Department of Health andHumanServices, Division of Social Services, and local county departments of social services, including the implementation of intake and assessment technology as a precondition to the operation of a statewide CPS hotline.
(6) A time line for implementation of the statewide CPS hotline that is aligned and coordinated with the Department of Health andHuman Services, Division of Social Services, and local county departments of social services, including the implementation of intake and assessment technology as a precondition to the operation of a statewide CPS hotline.
Page 8 DRS45292-NBa-38
Page 8 Senate Bill 518-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

10 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill updates definitions related to child neglect and abuse, clarifies responsibilities of caretakers, and modifies procedures for reviewing custody cases to enhance child welfare protections.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    Definitions.As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words have the listed meanings: → § 7B-101. Definitions. As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following words have the listed meanings:

    Rephrases the introductory sentence for clarity.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    that is injurious to the juvenile's welfare;welfare. → that is injurious to the juvenile's welfare.

    Corrects formatting issues and removes redundancy.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    or who is Has not provided or arranged for the provision of necessary medical care; or who is not provided necessary remedial care;care. → or who has not provided or arranged for the provision of necessary medical care; or who has not provided necessary remedial care.

    Fixes grammatical issues for better clarity.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    G.S. 14-321.2; → G.S. 14-321.2; or has participated in or attempted to participate in the unlawful transfer of custody of the juvenile under

    Clarifies language regarding unlawful custody transfer.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    and cultural context of the definition and includes additional clarifications.

    Removes an unnecessary statement about the cultural context from the definition.

  • G.S. 7B-101

    The duty imposed upon a caretaker as defined in this subdivision shall be for the purpose of this Subchapter only.

    Eliminates obsolete language regarding caretaker duties.

  • G.S. 7B-1001(a)(5)

    reunification, as defined by G.S. 7B-101(18b), G.S. 7B-101(18c), → reunification, as defined by G.S. 7B-101(18) and G.S. 7B-101(18b),

    Updates legal references to align with new definitions.

  • G.S. 7B-302

    a joint legislative oversight committee of the North Carolina General Assembly. → a joint legislative oversight committee of the North Carolina General Assembly composed of at least two bipartisan members.

    Enhances specificity regarding legislative oversight committees.

  • G.S. 7B-505(b)

    notification would be contrary to the best interests of the juvenile. → notification would not be in the best interest of the juvenile.

    Rephrases for clearer legal language.

  • G.S. 7B-905.1

    that haveapositiveresult from → who have a positive result from

    Fixes spacing and readability.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 175 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (2)

  • Edwards
  • Marcus

Not signed on (175)

175 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 175 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety labor education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 518?
SB 518 is sponsored by Sydney Batch (Democratic), Jim Burgin (Republican), Edwards, and Marcus.
What is the current status of SB 518?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 518?
Track SB 518 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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