NC S113

Removes automatic right of direct appeal to North Carolina Supreme Court for orders that terminate or deny termination of parental rights; these cases now appeal first to the Court of Appeals under G.S. 7B-1001(a).

Allows direct appeal to Supreme Court only when an order eliminating reunification as a permanent plan is appealed together with a termination of parental rights order, provided specific procedural requirements are met within designated timeframes (30 days and 65 days).

Requires that if the Court of Appeals vacates or reverses an order eliminating reunification, the order terminating parental rights must also be vacated.

Mandates the Director of the Courts submit an annual report by February 1 to the Chief Justice and General Assembly containing data on termination of parental rights appeals, including filing dates, record dates, decision dates, and average case ages for both Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases.

Effective July 1, 2021, for all appeals filed on or after that date.