House amendment to the 5th edition makes the following changes.

Section 1.

Changes one of the individuals who the Child Welfare Case Escalation Team (Team) should collaborate with under GS 108A-15.25 from the director of the regional social services department to the regional safety manager. Makes conforming change to GS 108A-15.28 (child welfare case escalation assessment). Amends the definition of high-risk home in GS 108A-15.26 sot that it can include extensive child welfare history (was, history of extensive child welfare involvement). Amends the information sharing provisions in GS 108A-15.27 so that the county department of social services (DSS) now provides the following information upon request: any records in their possession related to the high-risk home in which the juvenile is placed, including the juvenile's case, and identified in the escalation notification form (was, any records in their possession related to the juvenile's case and identified in the escalation notification form).   

Section 13.

Amends GS 108A-15.33 (child fatality and near-fatality public disclosure) so that the designated liaison coordinates with local teams (was, Child Fatality Prevention Team).

Specifies that Part XIII becomes law on January 1, 2027.