Governor McCrory Signs Foster Care Family Act Into Law

Press Release

Governor Pat McCrory signed two bills into law today to support foster care children and families. Surrounded by bill sponsors Senator Tamara Barringer, Senator Tommy Tucker, Senator Kathy Harrington, Representative Sarah Stevens, other legislators and former foster care children, the governor signed Senate Bill 423, or the Foster Care Family Act. The law includes a number of provisions that will improve the care of foster children and allows foster parents to obtain liability insurance for the children under their care. The governor also signed House Bill 669 which will require county social services departments to find foster children permanent placement.

"Foster children deserve the chance to have the support they need to reach their full potential," Governor McCrory said. "The Foster Care Family Act will expand social opportunities for foster children and give foster parents the insurance protection they need."

Senate Bill 423 will provide liability insurance for foster parents, reduce barriers to obtaining a driver's license for foster children, and require county social services departments to work diligently to find foster children permanent placement with either a parent, relative, guardianship or adoptive placement if at all possible. Additionally, the new law establishes the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard and directs the Department of Health and Human Services to draft a Medicaid waiver to serve foster children with serious emotional disturbances in home and community settings.

House Bill 669 makes changes to juvenile laws pertaining to abuse, neglect and dependency. The law requires county social services departments to work diligently to find foster children permanent placement with either a parent, relative, guardianship or adoptive placement if at all possible.

In addition to the foster care pieces of legislation, the governor also signed House Bill 652 which establishes a right to try act to provide expanded access to investigational drugs, biological products and devices for patients diagnosed with terminal illness.

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