SB 518 – Protecting and Supporting NC’s Children

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania)

Summary

This bill makes a series of amendments to various abuse, neglect, and dependency laws, including a provision appropriating $250K in recurring funds for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to DHHS to create 7 regional abuse and medical specialists to provide specialized guidance to the child welfare workforce in the management of high-risk child welfare cases that overlap with medical issues. The bill requires DHHS to collaborate with the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine to hire, train, and oversee these positions.

Movement

Filed – 4/5/2021