NC S401

Requires county departments of social services to conduct criminal history background checks on applicants for and recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits.

Mandates notification to local law enforcement within 24 hours or by the next business day if a criminal check reveals an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony or probation/parole violation, with disclosure limited to name, address, phone number, Social Security number, birth date, and physical description.

Denies public assistance benefits to applicants or recipients with outstanding warrants for felony charges or probation/parole violations, though other household members remain eligible and the individual becomes eligible once the warrant is resolved.

Requires applicants and recipients to be notified that confidential information from their records may not be protected if a felony or misdemeanor arrest warrant is issued against them.

Authorizes the Social Services Commission to adopt rules governing information sharing between social services departments and law enforcement agencies and requires memoranda of agreement between county departments and local law enforcement.