NC S598

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt rules for handling child protective services cases involving substance-exposed newborns.

Mandates county departments of social services to follow DHHS rules when developing protection plans and conducting assessments for substance-exposed newborns.

Requires use of structured decision-making tools and family services agreements for substance-exposed newborn cases to ensure the newborn's well-being and safe living environment.

Family services agreements must address medical care appointments, health care access, parental substance abuse treatment participation, routine substance abuse screenings, and visitation planning if the newborn is placed outside the home.

Effective upon enactment.