H.B. 212 Summary

• Establishes seven regions for regional supervision of child welfare and social services by March 1, 2022, with full implementation including regional offices by March 1, 2024, and appropriates $916,171 annually for 11 new staff positions to support regionalization.

• Requires new county board of social services members to attend mandatory education and training sessions by October 1, 2023, addressing board duties, responsibilities, and potential liabilities, with sessions available statewide by March 1, 2022.

• Creates a new conflicts of interest statute allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to make final decisions when county social services departments cannot manage adverse interests of individuals they serve, with the Social Services Commission to adopt implementing rules.

• Directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to conduct a feasibility and cost study of a proposed child support tribunal with dedicated court officers and quasi-judicial procedures, with findings due by March 1, 2022.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a feasibility study on transferring adult guardianship cases from the Department to counties, including recommendations for needed support and funding, due by March 1, 2022, and repeals G.S. 7B-3807 and G.S. 7B-3808.