Senate committee substitute to 4th edition makes the following changes.

Amends the act’s long title.

Part I.

Makes organizational changes to GS 7B-101.

Makes clarifying changes to GS 7B-201.

Removes the changes to GS 7B-302(d1), which would have removed language requiring the director to petition the court to order alleged abusers to submit to a complete mental health evaluation if the director's review reveals that the alleged abuser has a history of violence.

Removes provisions in GS 7B-306 (reviews by prosecutors or the Division) that require both the prosecutor and the Division to conduct a review under the described circumstances. Instead, provides that the agency receiving the request for review will conduct the review. Allows the other agency to also conduct a review. Makes conforming changes. Amends GS 7B-305 to requires that the agency receiving the request for review notify the person making the report and the director of the time and place for review.

Corrects the statutory cross reference in GS 7B-403(b).

Removes provisions that would have deleted parts of GS 7B-503 requiring the court to rule on a petition before returning the child to a home where alleged abusers reside or have been present. Instead of having the act’s Section 1.3 apply to any action filed on or after October 1, 2025, has it apply to any request for review made or action filed on or after that date.

Changes the date a parent is entitled to appointment of a guardian ad litem under GS 7B-602 from under age 18 to under age 16 and reinstates the requirement that he appointed be done in accordance with GS 1A-1, Rule 17. Grants the court discretion to appoint a guardian ad litem for a parent who is 16 or 17 years old and not yet married or otherwise emancipated. No longer provides that for a minor parent, a GS 1A-1, Rule 17 guardian ad litem may be appointed when the parent is incompetent but must not be appointed based solely on the parent being under the age of 18.

Removes requirement that a petition be drafted by legal counsel for the department under GS 7B-403.

Amends GS 7B-906.2 by no longer removing the requirement that the court, at a permanency planning hearing, make written findings as to the four specified items, which demonstrate the degree of success or failure toward reunification. Removes provision preventing the juvenile court from ordering child support.

Reinstates language to GS 7B-904(d) (authority over parents of a juvenile adjudicated as abused, neglected, or dependent) that allows the court to order the parent pay child support. Adds the requirement that the court find that payment would be in the child’s best interest. Makes conforming changes.

Removes the proposed changes to GS 7B-1111, Grounds for terminating parental rights.

Makes the changes to GS 7B-1109, Adjudicatory hearing on termination, applicable to actions filed on or after October 1, 2025.

Removes the proposed changes to GS 48-3-601, Persons whose consent to adoption is required.

Amends new GS 7B-325, Petition for expungement, to allow the court to grant the petition if the court finds, by the preponderance of the evidence (was, by clear and convincing evidence), that there is little likelihood that the petitioner will be a future perpetrator of child abuse or neglect.

Removes proposed GS 110-135.1, Foster care assistance payments.

Part II.

Makes organizational changes to GS 108A-24.

Part III.

Amends GS 14-318.4 by making organizational changes and by removing the proposed definition of grossly negligent omission.

Part IV.

Makes technical and clarifying changes.