Article 1.
County Administration.
§ 108A-1. Creation.
Every county shall have a governing board for social services, which may be a county board of social services created pursuant to this Part, a consolidated human services board created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), a board of county commissioners that has assumed the powers and duties of a county board of social services or a consolidated human services board, or a regional board of social services created pursuant to G.S. 108A-15.8. The governing board shall establish policies for the programs established by this Chapter in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Social Services Commission and under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services. Provided, however, policies for the program of medical assistance shall be established in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Human Services. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, s. 6; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 5; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2017-41, s. 4.2.)
The county board of social services of a county shall consist of three members, except that the board of commissioners of any county may increase such number to five members. The decision to increase the size to five members or to reduce a five-member board to three shall be reported immediately in writing by the chairman of the board of commissioners to the Department of Health and Human Services. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 6; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 108A-3. Method of appointment; residential qualifications; fee or compensation for services; consolidated human services board appointments.
(a) Three-Member Board. - The board of commissioners shall appoint one member who may be a county commissioner or a citizen selected by the board; the Social Services Commission shall appoint one member; and the two members so appointed shall select the third member. In the event the two members so appointed are unable to agree upon selection of the third member, the senior regular resident superior court judge of the county shall make the selection.
(b) Five-Member Board. - The procedure set forth in subsection (a) shall be followed, except that both the board of commissioners and the Social Services Commission shall appoint two members each, and the four so appointed shall select the fifth member by majority vote of the membership. If a majority of the four are unable to agree upon the fifth member, the senior regular superior court judge of the county shall make the selection.
(c) Provided further that each member so appointed under subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section by the Social Services Commission and by the county board of commissioners or the senior regular resident superior court judge of the county, shall be bona fide residents of the county from which they are appointed to serve, and will receive as their fee or compensation for their services rendered from the Department of Health and Human Services directly or indirectly only the fees and compensation as provided by G.S. 108A-8.
(d) Consolidated Human Services Board. - The board of county commissioners shall be the sole appointing authority for members of a consolidated human services board and shall appoint those members in accordance with G.S. 153A-77(c). (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1971, c. 369; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 7; 1997-135, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 108A-4. Term of appointment.
Each member of a county board of social services shall serve for a term of three years. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the limitation on consecutive terms does not apply if the member of the social services board was a member of the board of county commissioners at any time during the first two consecutive terms, and is a member of the board of county commissioners at the time of reappointment. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; c. 770.)
§ 108A-5. Order of appointment.
(a) Three-Member Board: The term of the member appointed by the Social Services Commission shall expire on June 30, 1981, and every three years thereafter; the term of the member appointed by the board of commissioners shall expire on June 30, 1983, and every three years thereafter; and the term of the third member shall expire on June 30, 1982, and every three years thereafter.
(b) Five-Member Board: Whenever a board of commissioners of any county decides to expand a three-member board to a five-member board of social services, the Social Services Commission shall appoint an additional member for a term expiring at the same time as the term of the existing member appointed by the board of commissioners, and the board of commissioners shall appoint an additional member for a term expiring at the same time as the term of the existing member appointed by the Social Services Commission. The change to a five-member board shall become effective at the time when the additional members shall have been appointed by both the county board of commissioners and the Social Services Commission. Thereafter all appointments shall be for three-year terms.
(c) Change from Five-Member to Three-Member Board: The change shall become effective on the first day of July following the decision to change by the board of commissioners. On that day, the following two seats on the board of social services shall cease to exist:
(1) The seat held by the member appointed by the Social Services Commission whose term would have expired on June 30, 1983, or triennially thereafter; and
(2) The seat held by the member appointed by the board of commissioners whose term would have expired June 30, 1981, or triennially thereafter. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 1986; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; c. 724, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1.)
Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made in the manner set out in G.S. 108A-3. All such appointments shall be for the remainder of the former member's term of office and shall not constitute a term for the purposes of G.S. 108A-4. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1.)
The board of social services of a county shall meet at least once per month, or more often if a meeting is called by the chairman. Such board shall elect a chairman from its members at its July meeting each year, and the chairman shall serve a term of one year or until a new chairman is elected by the board. A consolidated county human services board shall meet in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 153A-77. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 4; C.S., s. 5015; 1937, c. 319, s. 4; 1941, c. 270, s. 3; 1947, c. 92; 1959, c. 320; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 8.)
§ 108A-8. Compensation of members.
Members of the county board of social services may receive a per diem in such amount as shall be established by the county board of commissioners. Reimbursement for subsistence and travel shall be in accordance with a policy set by the county board of commissioners. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 4; C.S., s. 5015; 1937, c. 319, s. 4; 1941, c. 270, s. 3; 1947, c. 92; 1959, c. 320; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1971, c. 124; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1985, c. 418, s. 3.)
§ 108A-9. Duties and responsibilities.
The county board of social services shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) To select the county director of social services according to the merit system rules of the North Carolina Human Resources Commission;
(2) To advise county and municipal authorities in developing policies and plans to improve the social conditions of the community;
(3) To consult with the director of social services about problems relating to his office, and to assist him in planning budgets for the county department of social services;
(4) To transmit or present the budgets of the county department of social services for public assistance, social services, and administration to the board of county commissioners;
(5) To have such other duties and responsibilities as the General Assembly, the Department of Health and Human Services or the Social Services Commission or the board of county commissioners may assign to it. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 138; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, s. 7; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
The county board of social services is authorized to enter into contracts with any governmental or private agency, or with any person, whereby the board of social services agrees to render services to or for such agency or person in exchange for a fee to cover the cost of rendering such service. This authority is to be limited to services voluntarily rendered and voluntarily received, but shall not apply where the charging of a fee for a particular service is specifically prohibited by statute or regulation. The fees to be charged under the authority of this section are to be based upon a plan recommended by the county director of social services and approved by the local board of social services and the board of county commissioners. In no event is the fee charged to exceed the cost to the board of social services. Fee policies may not conflict with rules and regulations adopted by the Social Services Commission or Department of Health and Human Services regarding fees.
The fees collected under the authority of this section are to be deposited to the account of the social services department so that they may be expended for social services purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 159, the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. No individual employee is to receive any compensation over and above his regular salary as a result of rendering services for which a fee is charged.
The county board of social services shall annually report to the county commissioners receipts received under this section. Fees collected under this section shall not be used to replace any other funds, either State or local, for the program for which the fees were collected. (1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 108A-11. Inspection of records by members.
Every member of the county board of social services may inspect and examine any record on file in the office of the director relating in any manner to applications for and provision of public assistance and social services authorized by this Chapter. No member shall disclose or make public any information which he may acquire by examining such records. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5014; 1937, c. 319, s. 3; 1941, c. 270, s. 2; 1945, c. 47; 1953, c. 132; 1955, c. 249; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1959, c. 1255, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1963, c. 139; c. 247, ss. 1, 2; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1.)
§ 108A-12. Appointment.
(a) The board of social services of every county shall appoint a director of social services in accordance with the merit system rules of the North Carolina Human Resources Commission. Any director dismissed by such board shall have the right of appeal under the same rules.
(b) Two or more boards of social services may jointly employ a director of social services to serve the appointing boards and such boards may also combine any other functions or activities as authorized by Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A. The boards shall agree on the portion of the director's salary and the portion of expenses for other joint functions and activities that each participating county shall pay. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, ss. 3, 4; C.S., s. 5016; 1921, c. 128; 1929, c. 291, s. 1; 1931, c. 423; 1937, c. 319, s. 5; 1941, c. 270, s. 4; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
§ 108A-13. Salary.
The board of social services of every county, with the approval of the board of county commissioners, shall determine the salary of the director in accordance with the classification plan of the North Carolina Human Resources Commission, and such salary shall be paid by the county from the federal, State and county funds available for this purpose. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, ss. 3, 4; C.S., s. 5016; 1921, c. 128; 1929, c. 291, s. 1; 1931, c. 423; 1937, c. 319, s. 5; 1941, c. 270, s. 4; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
§ 108A-14. Duties and responsibilities.
(a) The director of social services shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) To serve as executive officer of the board of social services and act as its secretary;
(2) To appoint necessary personnel of the county department of social services in accordance with the merit system rules of the North Carolina Human Resources Commission;
(3) To administer the programs of public assistance and social services established by this Chapter under pertinent rules and regulations;
(4) To administer funds provided by the board of commissioners for the care of indigent persons in the county under policies approved by the county board of social services;
(5) To act as agent of the Social Services Commission and Department of Health and Human Services in relation to work required by the Social Services Commission and Department of Health and Human Services in the county;
(6) To investigate cases for adoption and to supervise adoptive placements;
(7) To issue employment certificates to children under the regulations of the State Department of Labor;
(8) To supervise adult care homes under the rules and regulations of the Medical Care Commission;
(9) To assist and cooperate with the Department of Adult Correction and the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety and their respective representatives;
(10) Repealed by Session Laws 2003-13, s. 7, effective April 17, 2003, and applicable to all petitions for sterilization pending and orders authorizing sterilization that have not been executed as of April 17, 2003.
(11) To assess reports of child abuse and neglect and to take appropriate action to protect such children pursuant to the Child Abuse Reporting Law, Article 3 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes;
(12) To accept children for placement in foster homes and to supervise placements for so long as such children require foster home care;
(13) To respond by investigation to notification of a proposed adoptive placement pursuant to G.S. 48-3(b) and (c); and
(14) To receive and evaluate reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of disabled adults and to take appropriate action as required by the Protection of the Abused, Neglected, or Exploited Disabled Adults Act, Article 6 of this Chapter, to protect these adults.
(15) To receive and evaluate reports of financial exploitation of disabled adults, to investigate credible reports of financial exploitation under Article 6A of this Chapter, and to take appropriate action to protect these adults.
(b) The director may delegate to one or more members of his staff the authority to act as his representative. The director may limit the delegated authority of his representative to specific tasks or areas of expertise. The director may designate, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Labor, additional personnel outside his staff to issue youth employment certificates. (1917, c. 170, s. 1; 1919, c. 46, s. 3; C.S., s. 5017; 1941, c. 270, s. 5; 1957, c. 100, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1971, c. 710, s. 5; 1973, c. 476, ss. 133.3, 138; c. 1262, s. 109; c. 1339, s. 2; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, s. 8; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1983, c. 293; 1985, c. 203, ss. 1, 2; 1991, c. 258, s. 1; 1993, c. 553, s. 31; 1995, c. 214, s. 2; c. 535, s. 4; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998-202, s. 13(v); 2003-13, s. 7; 2005-55, s. 12; 2005-276, s. 10.42; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2013-337, s. 3; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c); 2017-186, s. 2(vvvv); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(jjj).)
§ 108A-15. Social services officials and employees as public guardians.
The director and assistant directors of social services of each county may serve as guardians for adults adjudicated incompetent under the provisions of Chapter 35A, and they shall do so if ordered to serve in that capacity by the clerk of superior court having jurisdiction of a guardianship proceeding brought under either Article. (1977, c. 725, s. 6; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1985, c. 361, s. 3; 1987, c. 550, s. 23.)
§ 108A-15.1. Consolidated human services board; human services director.
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and subject to any limitations that may be imposed by the board of county commissioners under G.S. 153A-77, a consolidated human services board created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b) shall have the responsibility and authority to carry out the programs established in this Chapter in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Social Services Commission and under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services in the same manner as a county social services board.
(b) In addition to the powers conferred by G.S. 153A-77(d), a consolidated human services board shall have all the powers and duties of a county board of social services as provided by G.S. 108A-9, except that the consolidated human services board may not:
(1) Appoint the human services director.
(2) Transmit or present the budget for social services programs.
(c) In addition to the powers conferred by G.S. 153A-77(e), a human services director shall have all the powers and duties of a director of social services provided by G.S. 108A-14, except that the human services director may:
(1) Serve as the executive officer of the consolidated human services board only to the extent and in the manner authorized by the county manager.
(2) Appoint staff of the consolidated human services agency only upon the approval of the county manager. (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 9; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§§ 108A-15.2 through 108A-15.6. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 108A-15.7. Creation of regional social services departments.
(a) A regional social services department, including more than one county, may be formed upon agreement of the county boards of commissioners and, if applicable, either the county board of social services or consolidated human services board having jurisdiction over each of the counties involved.
(b) A regional social services department may incorporate all programs and services offered by the county departments or it may include only selected programs and services.
(c) A county may join an existing regional social services department upon agreement of the boards of commissioners having jurisdiction over each of the counties included in the region as well as the board of county commissioners and, if applicable, either the county board of social services or consolidated human services having jurisdiction over the county department seeking to join the regional department.
(d) The regional social services departments may include more than one judicial district. To promote judicial efficiency, a regional social services department shall make every effort to include complete judicial districts rather than dividing a judicial district across departments.
(e) The regional social services department shall have centralized administrative operations that are geographically located in one county but maintain a physical presence for delivery of social services in every county served by the region.
(f) A county that joins a regional social services department shall be required to contribute financially to the regional department pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission.
(g) A regional social services department shall be a public authority as defined in G.S. 159-7(b)(10). (2017-41, s. 4.1.)
§ 108A-15.8. Regional board of social services.
(a) A regional social services department shall be governed by a regional board of social services. A regional board of social services shall have the same powers and duties as a county social services board, including the appointment of the regional director of social services, with respect to those services or programs that have been assigned to the regional social services department.
(b) A regional board of social services shall be composed of 12 members. However, a regional board of social services may be increased up to a maximum number of 18 members by agreement of the boards of county commissioners in all counties that comprise the region. The agreement shall be evidenced by concurrent resolutions adopted by the affected boards of county commissioners.
(c) The county board of commissioners of each county in the region shall appoint two members to the regional board of social services, one of whom may be a county commissioner. If more than eight counties join the regional social services department, the board of county commissioners of each county in the region shall appoint one member to the regional board of social services who may be a county commissioner. The Social Services Commission shall appoint two members. The members of the regional social services board shall appoint members to fill any remaining vacancies. The composition of the board shall reasonably reflect the population makeup of the entire region and provide equitable region-wide representation. All members shall be residents of the region.
(d) Except as provided in this subsection, members of a regional board of social services shall serve terms of three years. Two of the original members shall serve terms of one year, and two of the original members shall serve terms of two years. No member shall serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. County commissioner members shall serve only as long as the member is a county commissioner.
(e) Whenever a county shall join or withdraw from an existing regional social services department, the regional board of social services shall be dissolved and a new board shall be appointed as provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(f) Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority for any unexpired portion of a term.
(g) A chairperson shall be elected annually by a regional board of social services. The regional social services director shall serve as secretary to the board.
(h) A majority of the actual membership, excluding vacancies, shall constitute a quorum.
(i) Upon being given written notice and an opportunity to respond, a member may be removed from office by the regional board of social services for any of the following:
(1) Commission of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude.
(2) Violation of a State law governing conflict of interest.
(3) Violation of a written policy adopted by the county board of commissioners of each county in the region.
(4) Habitual failure to attend meetings.
(5) Conduct that tends to bring the office into disrepute.
(j) A member may receive a per diem in an amount established by the county commissioner members of the regional board of social services. Reimbursement for subsistence and travel shall be in accordance with a policy set by the county commissioner members of the regional board of social services.
(k) The board shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson or three of the members may call a special meeting.
(l) A regional board of social services is authorized to provide liability insurance for the members of the board and the employees of the regional social services department. A regional board of social services is also authorized to contract for the services of an attorney to represent the board, the regional social services department, and its employees, as appropriate. The purchase of liability insurance pursuant to this subsection waives both the regional board of social services' and the regional social services department's governmental immunity, to the extent of insurance coverage, for any act or omission occurring in the exercise of a governmental function. By entering into a liability insurance contract with the regional board of social services, an insurer waives any defense based upon the governmental immunity of the regional board of social services or the regional social services department. (2017-41, s. 4.1.)
§ 108A-15.9. Dissolution of a regional social services department.
(a) Whenever the board of commissioners of each county constituting a regional social services department determines that the department is not operating in the best interests of the respective counties, they may direct that the regional social services department be dissolved.
(b) Whenever a board of commissioners of a county which is a member of a regional social services department determines that the department is not operating in the best interests of that county, it may withdraw from the regional social services department.
(c) Dissolution of a regional social services department or withdrawal from the regional social services department by a county shall be effective only at the end of the fiscal year in which the action of dissolution or withdrawal transpired.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of the section, no regional social services department shall be dissolved without prior written notification to the Department.
(e) Any budgetary surplus available to a regional social services department at the time of its dissolution shall be distributed to those counties comprising the region on the same pro rata basis that the counties appropriated and contributed funds to the regional social services department budget during the current fiscal year. Distribution to the counties shall be determined on the basis of an audit of the financial record of the regional social services department. The regional board of social services shall select a certified public accountant or an accountant who is subsequently certified by the Local Government Commission to conduct the audit. The audit shall be performed in accordance with G.S. 159-34. The same method of distribution of funds described above shall apply when one or more counties of a regional social services department withdraw from a region. (2017-41, s. 4.1.)
§ 108A-15.10. Regional social services director.
A regional social services director appointed by a regional social services board shall have all the powers and duties of a director of social services provided by G.S. 108A-14 and other applicable laws. The director shall also have the authority to enter contracts, in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act, Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, on behalf of the regional social services department. (2017-41, s. 4.1; 2017-102, s. 40(d).)
§ 108A-15.20. (Effective January 1, 2025) Citizen review panels.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall ensure the existence of, at a minimum, three citizen review panels (panels) pursuant to requirements set forth in the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), under sections 106(b)(2)(A)(x) and (c) of 42 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq., as amended. The panels shall be operated and managed by a qualified organization that is independent from any State or county department of social services. The Division of Social Services shall assist any organization managing a panel with providing information, reports, and support the panel needs in carrying out its duties pursuant to this section.
(b) Panels shall consist of volunteer members who broadly represent the community in which the panel is established, including members who have expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect, and may include adult former victims of child abuse or neglect.
(c) Each panel shall evaluate the extent to which the State is fulfilling its child protection responsibilities in accordance with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act State Plan by examining the policies, procedures, and practices of State and local child protection agencies, and, when appropriate, reviewing specific cases. A panel may examine any other criteria the panel considers important to ensure the protection of children, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(1) The extent to which the State and local child protective services system is coordinated with the Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance programs of the Social Security Act.
(2) A review of child fatalities.
(3) A review of near fatalities in this State. For purposes of this subdivision, a "near fatality" is an act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition.
(d) A panel choosing to examine child fatalities may utilize information and reports about reviews of child fatalities that take place pursuant to Article 14 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes. The State Office of Child Fatality Prevention or Local Teams, as both are described under G.S. 143B-150.25, acting under that Article shall provide to the panel aggregate information about child death reviews or information about individual case reviews, as requested by the panel. A panel choosing to examine specific child protective services cases may do so based on a request for review of a case from a director of a county department of social services or as deemed necessary by the panel in carrying out its duties.
(e) Panels shall have access to information maintained by any State or local government entity where the panel has a need for the information to carry out its functions pursuant to this section. Panel members shall not disclose to any person or government official any identifying information about any specific child protection case in which the panel is provided information and shall not make public other information unless otherwise authorized by law.
(f) Panels shall provide for public outreach and comment to assess the impact of current procedures and practices on children and families.
(g) Panels shall prepare and make available to the State and the public an annual report containing a summary of the activities of the panels and recommendations to improve the child protection services system at the State and local levels. The report shall not contain any identifying information about any specific child protection case. No later than six months after the date the panels submit the report, the Division of Social Services shall submit a written response to State and local child protection systems and the citizen review panels that describes whether or how the State will incorporate the recommendations of the panels, when appropriate, to make measurable progress in improving the State and local child protection system. (2023-134, s. 9H.15(j).)
§ 108A-16. Appointment.
With the approval of the board of social services, the board of commissioners of any county may appoint a licensed attorney to serve as a special county attorney for social service matters, or designate the county attorney as special county attorney for social service matters. (1959, c. 1124, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1.)
The special county attorney for social service matters shall receive compensation for the performance of his duties and for his expenses in such amount as the board of commissioners may provide. His compensation shall be a proper item in the annual budget of the county department of social services. (1959, c. 1124, s. 1; 1961, c. 186; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1981, c. 275, s. 1.)
§ 108A-18. Duties and responsibilities.
(a) The special county attorney shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) To serve as legal advisor to the county director, the county board of social services, and the board of county commissioners on social service matters;
(2) To represent the county, the plaintiff, or the obligee in all proceedings brought under Chapter 52A, the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act and to exercise continuous supervision of compliance with any order entered in any proceeding under that act;
(3) To represent the county board of social services in appeal proceedings and in any litigation relating to appeals;
(4) To assist the district attorney with the preparation and prosecution of criminal cases under Article 40 of Chapter 14, entitled "Protection of the Family";
(5) To assist the district attorney with the preparation and prosecution of proceedings authorized by Chapter 49, entitled "Bastardy";
(6) To perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the board of county commissioners, the board of social services, or the director of social services.
(b) In performing any of the duties and responsibilities set out in this section, the special county attorney is authorized to call upon any director of social services or the Department of Health and Human Services for any information as he may require to perform his duties, and such director and Department are directed to assist him in performing such duties. (1959, c. 1124, ss. 2, 3; 1969, c. 546, s. 1; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; c. 476, s. 138; 1981, c. 275, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§§ 108A-19 through 108A-23. Reserved for future codification purposes.