NC S725

Establishes a 27-member Foster Care and Education Council as a joint body between the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to improve educational outcomes for children in foster care

Members are appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, House Speaker, Governor, State Board of Education, and DHHS Secretary, and include representatives from child welfare agencies, courts, advocacy organizations, educators, and individuals with lived foster care experience

Council must meet quarterly, review education data disaggregated by race and ethnicity, and develop recommendations on judicial practices, data sharing, school stability, transportation to schools of origin, and dispute resolution processes

Requires DPI and DHHS to enter into memoranda of understanding to facilitate data exchange and collaboration, with both agencies providing staff support and supplies to the Council

Council must submit annual reports to the General Assembly, State Board of Education, DHHS, and multiple legislative oversight committees on progress toward education parity for foster children