A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the department of health and human services to study extending the provision of foster care to the age of 21.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, shall study extending the provision of foster care to the age of 21. In conducting the study, the Division of Social Services shall, at a minimum, consider the following:
(1)	Current State laws and any rules adopted by the Social Services Commission regarding the provision of foster care services. 
(2)	A review of other states' laws that have extended the provision of foster care services beyond the age of 18.
(3)	The requirements necessary for implementing an extension of foster care to age 21 in this State, including any infrastructure and funding requirements.
(4)	Any other issues the Division of Social Services deems necessary to conduct the study.
SECTION 2.  The Division of Social Services shall make its findings and recommendations in a final report to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly.
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for the 2013‑2014 fiscal year for the purpose of conducting the study provided for in this act.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.