DISPOSITION PLACEMENT/FINDINGS OF FACT (NEW).

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 648 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 1, 2025
AN ACT TO CLARIFY DISPOSITION PLACEMENT ANALYSIS AND REQUIRE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT.
Intro. by Stevens.
Status: Placed On Cal For 04/29/2025 (House action) (Apr 28 2025)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Submitted by iveybyrd on

Previous title was AN ACT TO CLARIFY THE APPROPRIATE TIMING FOR CONSIDERING NONRELATIVE PLACEMENT FOR NONSECURE CUSTODY AND DISPOSITION.

Bill History:

H 648

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill H 648 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 15 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 7B-903 (regarding disposition alternatives for abused, neglected, or dependent juveniles) as follows. Clarifies that a court must determine instead of considering whether a relative of the juvenile is willing and able to provide proper care and supervision of the juvenile in a safe home. Clarifies that a court must make a best interest determination (was, finding) regarding such placement. Allows a court to compare all placement options to determine which option is the juvenile’s best interest if a juvenile has been placed in out-of-home care with a non-relative. Removes provisions that would have required that the court cannot consider out-of-home placement with a nonrelative unless the court determines that there is either no relative willing and able to care for and supervise the juvenile in a safe home, or placement with a relative willing and able to do so would not be in the juvenile’s best interest. Requires the court to make written findings of fact when determining whether it is the juvenile’s best interest to remain in their community of residence. Adds that all findings and determinations made by the court under the statute must be supported by written findings of fact.

    Removes proposed changes to GS 7B-505 (concerning placement of a juvenile while in secure custody). Makes conforming changes, including to act’s titles.  

    Courts/Judiciary, Juvenile Law, Abuse, Neglect and Dependency
    GS 7B
  • Bill H 648 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 3 2025 - View Summary

    Amends GS 7B-903 (regarding disposition alternatives for abused, neglected, or dependent juveniles) to add clarification as title indicates through the addition of a requirement that the court cannot consider out-of-home placement with a nonrelative unless the court determines that there is either no relative willing and able to care for and supervise the juvenile in a safe home, or placement with a relative willing and able to do so would not be in the juvenile’s best interest. Adds an appropriate former foster parent to the list of nonrelatives a court can consider in determining who could provide proper care and supervision for the juvenile in a safe home (was, nonrelative kin or other persons with legal custody of the juvenile’s siblings). Adds an appropriate former foster parent and other persons with legal custody of a juvenile’s siblings to those nonrelatives a court may order placement of the juvenile with (was, only nonrelative kin). Makes technical changes by moving language mandating that the court consider if it is in the juvenile’s best interest to remain in their community of residence and that the placement with a relative outside of the state be in accordance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children when placing a juvenile in out-of-home care to its own subsection.

    Amends GS 7B-505 (regarding placement of a juvenile while in nonsecure custody) by adding identical clarifying provisions for when the court can consider out-of-home placement with a non-relative as detailed in the first sentence discussing GS 78-903 amendments above. Removes language allowing the court to order the Department of Social Services to notify the juvenile’s state-recognized tribe of the need for nonsecure custody to locate relatives or nonrelative kin for placement. Adds an appropriate former foster parent and other persons with legal custody of a juvenile’s sibling to the list of people the court can order placement of the juvenile to be with if it is in the juvenile’s best interests.

    Effective October 1, 2025, for actions filed on or after that date.

    Courts/Judiciary, Juvenile Law, Abuse, Neglect and Dependency
    GS 7B
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