A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the social services commission to adopt rules and requiring a foster parent to have in place an educational development plan for a child in the foster parent's care.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 131D‑10.5(7) reads as rewritten:
"§ 131D‑10.5.  Powers and duties of the Commission.
In addition to other powers and duties prescribed by law, the Commission shall exercise the following powers and duties:
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(7)	Adopt rules establishing (i) educational requirements, including establishing a policy to require a foster parent to create an educational development plan for a foster child in the foster parent's care before the foster child enters high school under G.S. 131D‑10.6A(a1); (ii) minimum age; (iii) relevant experience; (iv) and criminal record status for executive directors and staff employed by child placing agencies and residential child care facilities."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 131D‑10.6A is amended by adding the following new subsection to read:
(a1)	In accordance with rules adopted by the Commission under G.S. 131D‑10.5(7), the Division of Social Services shall ensure that in the foster parent's agreement and incorporated in the foster parent's required training under subsection (a) of this section, the foster parent creates an educational development plan for the child placed in the foster parent's care. In creating an educational development plan, the foster parent shall consider and address any special needs of the child in foster care, including the incorporation of an individualized education program (IEP) in accordance with Part 1A of Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes. The educational development plan shall be in place prior to the foster child entering into high school. For purposes of this subsection, "educational development plan" means a plan that assists the child in preparing for entrance into high school, including, but not limited to (i) ensuring appropriate coursework is completed in compliance with State law; (ii) ensuring grades are maintained; (iii) determining the appropriate high school that best meets the child's needs and interests; and (iv) ensuring attendance requirements are met."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.