NC H863

Reduces the timeframe for terminating parental rights from 12 months to 9 months when a parent has willfully left a child in foster care or placement without showing reasonable progress in correcting conditions that led to removal.

Establishes a maximum of six children in foster care per family foster home or therapeutic foster home, except when written documentation shows siblings will be placed together to maintain family connections.

Requires foster homes caring for more than six children to submit written documentation verifying compliance with fire and building safety codes and any waivers granted by the licensing authority.

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds to the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services in each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to increase capacity and options for foster youth.

Directs the Social Services Commission to adopt temporary rules implementing the six-child limit, with an effective date of October 1, 2023, or upon federal State Plan amendment approval if necessary.