ADULT PROTECTION MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS.

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 400 (Public) Filed Monday, March 24, 2025
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ADULT PROTECTION MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS.
Intro. by Galey, Daniel.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Mar 25 2025)
S 400

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 24 2025 - View Summary

    Enacts Article 6B, Local Adult Protection Multidisciplinary Teams, to GS Chapter 108A. States legislative findings and the Article's purpose. Defines five terms. Authorizes counties to establish a Case Review Multidisciplinary Team or to participate in a multicounty Team. Defines Case Review Multidisciplinary Team as an adult protection multidisciplinary team (Case Team) that reviews selected active cases in which disabled adults are being served by adult protective services through a local department of social services (dss). Defines disabled adult to mean an individual 18 years of age or older or a lawfully emancipated minor who is present in the State and who is physically or mentally incapacitated, as defined by statutory cross-reference.

    Provides for the county board of commissioners to consult with the dss director in determining whether to establish its own Case Team or become part of a multicounty team. Provides for the formation and withdrawal from a multicounty team. Details membership required of the Case Team for both individual county and multicounty teams as well as other members that may be appointed by the chair. Provides for vacancies, election of the chair, and Case Team meetings.

    Charges the Case Team with (1) reviewing selected active cases in which disabled adults are being served by adult protective services through dss, and (2) annually submitting to the commissioners any recommendations for addressing systemic problems and service gaps in the delivery of services to disabled adults by public and nonpublic agencies. Lists six powers and duties of the dss director in addition to those as a Case Team member, including assuring the development of written operating procedures for Team reviews, maintenance of Team records, and annual reporting to the local board of social services on the Team's activities. Specifies that these powers and duties extend to each dss director on multicounty team.

    Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop and make available for each Case Team member training materials that address four criteria including an overview of adult protective services law and policy, the role and function of the Case Team, confidentiality requirements, and record-keeping requirements. 

    Details permitted information sharing among Case Team members related to performing reviews and providing, arranging, or coordinating services for disabled adults whose cases have been or are currently under review by the Team. Terminates information sharing authority when a case is no longer active, as described. Prohibits the dss director from sharing information that discloses the identity of individuals who have reported suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult to dss except as allowed by law. Exempts Case Team meetings from the State's open meetings laws, Article 33C, GS Chapter 143. 

    Deems Case Team information and records confidential and limits disclosure to instances when it is necessary to carry out the purposes of the Case Team or otherwise permitted by law. Specifies that the confidentiality requirements do not preclude a court from compelling disclosure if necessary for the proper administration of justice and disclosure is not prohibited by law. Describes three instances when information generated in a Case Team meeting may be disclosed, including disclosure to the county commissioners, board of social services, or Case Team member's agency or organization, as specified. Provides for Case Team members to sign confidentiality statements and provides the chair with authority to recommend removal of any member who fails to sign or comply with the confidentiality requirements. Requires notation in the disabled adult's protective services record to indicate selection for review and allows further entries at the dss director's discretion. Provides that relevant State and federal law applies to the Case Team's sharing or accessing confidential information and records. Directs the Social Services Commission to adopt rules to establish protocols for Case Team reviews.

    Clarifies that the Article is limited in scope to Case Teams established under the Article. Adds that the Article does not prohibit a county from establishing a Case Team and a Systemic Review Multidisciplinary Team, as defined.

    Effective October 1, 2025.