AN ACT to require the department of health and human services to provide new luggage for a child placed in foster care.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (Division), the sum of one hundred forty‑two thousand dollars ($142,000) in recurring funds beginning in the 2026‑2027 fiscal year and the sum of three hundred thirty‑five thousand eight hundred eighty dollars ($335,880) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year to be allocated to county departments of social services to provide new luggage to a child placed in foster care who is being removed from a household. These funds shall be used to provide new luggage to (i) children who are new entrants into the foster care system and (ii) children currently in foster care. The Department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations of any kind and from any source in implementing the provisions of this act. For purposes of this act, new luggage means a suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or similar container that is designed to hold an individual's personal belongings and has not previously been used. The term does not include a disposable bag.

SECTION 1.(b)  By December 1 of each year, the Division shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on each of the following:

(1)        The number of instances a disposable bag was used to transport the personal belongings of a child in foster care and the reason the county department of social services responsible for placement of the child failed to provide the child with new luggage.

(2)        The supply and inventory management procedures for the new luggage supply.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2026.