A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to amend the foster care ombudsman pilot program in gaston county.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Section 1(c) of S.L. 2013‑111 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 1.(c)  The foster care ombudsman shall:
(1)	When a juvenile is placed in foster care following a disposition order under G.S. 7B‑905, be a party in all actions under G.S. 7B‑906.1 on behalf of the foster parents and permitted to speak on their behalf. The County may designate an attorney to assist the ombudsman, if requested by the ombudsman. If requested by the parent or the juvenile, the ombudsman shall be allowed to participate in any meeting or court hearing regarding the juvenile prior to a disposition order.
(2)	Determine the facts, the needs of the juvenile, and the available resources within the family, foster community, and community to meet those needs; to facilitate, when appropriate, the settlement of disputed issues; to explore options with the court at the dispositional hearing; to report to the court when the needs of the juvenile are not being met; and to protect and promote the best interests of the juvenile as seen by the foster family.
(3)	Have the authority to obtain any information or reports, whether or not confidential, that may in the ombudsman's opinion be relevant to a case. The ombudsman shall have access to case files regarding any juvenile in the care of the Department if the juvenile is placed with a foster parent at any point. No privilege other than the attorney‑client privilege may be invoked to prevent the ombudsman from obtaining such information. The confidentiality of the information or reports shall be respected by the ombudsman, and no disclosure of any information or reports shall be made to anyone except by order of the court or unless otherwise provided by law.
(4)	Refer to the social services director and any appropriate law enforcement any cause of suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, as defined by G.S. 7B‑101.
(5)	Be a resource and advocate for foster parents.
(6)	Provide to the director of social services a periodic report on foster placements within the county, including any recommendations regarding that placement or future placements.
(7)	Compile and make available to the Board any data the ombudsman has collected in the course of exercising his or her official duties.
(8)	Provide information regarding the role, duties, and functions of foster parents and the ombudsman, and the rights of children in foster care. The ombudsman may assist a pre‑adoptive parent or a relative of the juvenile with matters related to that case, if so requested by the pre‑adoptive parent or relative.
(9)	Comply with any other duties or responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Board."
SECTION 2.  Section 5 of S.L. 2013‑111 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.