§ 108A-49.1.  Foster care and adoption assistance payment rates.

(a) The maximum rates for State participation in the foster care assistance program are established on a graduated scale as follows:

(1) $702.00 per child per month for children from birth through five years of age.

(2) $742.00 per child per month for children six through 12 years of age.

(3) $810.00 per child per month for children at least 13 but less than 21 years of age.

(b) The maximum rates for the State adoption assistance program are established consistent with the foster care rates as follows:

(1) $702.00 per child per month for children from birth through five years of age.

(2) $742.00 per child per month for children six through 12 years of age.

(3) $810.00 per child per month for children at least 13 but less than 21 years of age.

(c) The maximum rates for the State participation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) foster care and adoption assistance are established on a graduated scale as follows:

(1) $800.00 per child per month with indeterminate HIV status.

(2) $1,000 per child per month with confirmed HIV infection, asymptomatic.

(3) $1,200 per child per month with confirmed HIV infection, symptomatic.

(4) $1,600 per child per month when the child is terminally ill with complex care needs.

In addition to providing board payments to foster and adoptive families of HIV-infected children, any additional funds remaining that are appropriated for purposes described in this subsection shall be used to provide medical training in avoiding HIV transmission in the home.

(d) The State and a county participating in foster care and adoption assistance shall each contribute fifty percent (50%) of the nonfederal share of the cost of care for a child placed by a county department of social services or child-placing agency in a family foster home or residential child care facility. A county shall be held harmless from contributing fifty percent (50%) of the nonfederal share of the cost for a child placed in a family foster home or residential child care facility under an agreement with that provider as of October 31, 2008, until the child leaves foster care or experiences a placement change.

(e) A county shall be held harmless from contributing fifty percent (50%) of the nonfederal share of the cost for an individual receiving benefits pursuant to G.S. 108A-48(c). (2011-145, s. 10.51; 2015-241, s. 12C.9(c); 2021-180, s. 9I.11(a); 2023-14, s. 6.7(a).)