NC H1110

Department of Health and Human Services and Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop a plan to improve complaint evaluation for wards under public guardians, requiring face-to-face observations or interviews with wards and assigning experienced individuals to conduct these evaluations.

Division of Social Services shall study conflicts of interest in child welfare cases involving public guardianship, considering options including internal firewalls, county referral systems, corporate guardianship alternatives, and potential legislative recommendations.

Division of Aging and Adult Services shall consult with clerks of superior court, managed care organizations, and the North Carolina Bar Association to develop a model plan for transitioning wards to alternative guardianship arrangements when individual guardians become unable or unwilling to serve.

Department shall continue studying whether care coordination services would provide oversight to safeguard against conflicts of interest when guardians serve as paid providers.

Department must submit final report with findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and Fiscal Research Division by October 1, 2014.