NC H669

Defines "department" to refer to each county's child welfare agency regardless of the agency's name or organizational structure, and adds definition of "nonrelative kin" to include tribal members for State-recognized tribes.

Allows ex parte nonsecure custody orders and requires telephonic notice to counsel when department seeks nonsecure custody under specified circumstances.

Authorizes county department directors to arrange medical, dental, emergency, and psychiatric care for juveniles in nonsecure custody; requires court authorization and clear and convincing evidence findings for psychotropic medications, clinical trials, and other specified treatments.

Establishes concurrent permanency planning requirements, eliminating automatic reunification efforts in cases involving sexual abuse, chronic abuse, torture, abandonment, or prior parental rights terminations; requires courts to adopt primary and secondary permanent plans including adoption, guardianship, custody, or Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA).

Requires courts to inquire about and make findings regarding identification of relatives, parents, and siblings as placement resources; requires special findings for juveniles age 14 and older regarding transition services, reasonable and prudent parenting standards, and age-appropriate activities.