AN ACT to establish the foster parent ombudsman office within the department of health and human services.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:

Part 6A. Foster Parent Ombudsman Office.

§ 143B‑157.1.  Foster Parent Ombudsman.

(a)        There is hereby established the Foster Parent Ombudsman within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Office shall report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and is empowered to assist foster parents with issues and resolve conflicts related to the licensing of family and therapeutic foster homes, the placement of children in foster care, adoption procedures, and other related matters. The Office shall advocate on behalf of foster parents in this State and support their rights to ensure their voices are heard and concerns are addressed. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall select a person who is qualified with unique experience in foster care State and federal laws and rules to serve as the Ombuds. The Office shall coordinate with all State and federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Services Commission, and local county departments of social services, to effectuate the purpose of the Office as described in this Part.

(b)        The Office shall also perform the following duties:

(1)        Disseminate and advertise information to foster parents on the rights of foster parents in this State, and seek to educate foster parents about State and federal laws and rules applicable to their situation.

(2)        Investigate and attempt to resolve hindrances and issues for families or individuals seeking approval for licensure as a family foster home or therapeutic foster home and current foster parents navigating compliance with existing State and federal laws and rules.

(3)        Assist foster parents with waiver applications for licensure, if applicable.

(4)        Offer classes or instructional videos to foster parents to assist in the licensure process.

(5)        Identify resources for foster parents seeking licensure approval, modification of foster homes, or other support resources.

(6)        Gather and review all relevant information when receiving a complaint or inquiry.

(7)        Formulate a process for mediation between parties.

(c)        In exercising duties under this Part, the Office shall operate in a neutral manner and complete comprehensive, unbiased views of matters using all relevant information to make recommendations for action, if necessary.

(d)       All communication between the Office and prospective foster parents or individuals seeking assistance from the Office shall be confidential and shall not be considered public records under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

(e)        By October 1 of each year, the Office shall compile data and submit it to the Department of Health and Human Services detailing the number of inquiries and complaints handled by the Office and trends in recurring issues for foster parents and local county departments of social services. Any information contained in the report shall not be able to be used to identify any individual or foster parent. The Department shall use the data to submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services no later than November 1 of each year.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated the recurring sum of one hundred thirty‑seven thousand dollars ($137,000) for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year and one hundred forty‑five thousand dollars ($145,000) for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services to establish the Foster Parent Ombudsman Office and hire one full‑time equivalent employee.

SECTION 3.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall have the Office operational by January 1, 2024, and shall engage in appropriate rulemaking to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 4.  Section 1 and Section 2 of this act become effective July 1, 2023. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.