NC Child Protective Law (HB 612) Takes Effect Bringing Faster Responses, Safer Placements, and Stronger Accountability
New child welfare reforms set to reshape investigations, reunifications, placements and oversight, with safeguards designed to protect children and support safer family outcomes.
Holly Springs, NC, Dec. 9, 2025 — A major child welfare reform passed by the North Carolina General Assembly took effect December 1st, reshaping the way child protection agencies investigate abuse, protect children, communicate with families, and coordinate with hospitals and behavioral health providers.
The intent behind the newly enacted law (HB 612) is straightforward: respond more quickly when children are at risk, prevent conflicts of interest, and ensure safe and appropriate care and placement for vulnerable youth.
It is one of the most comprehensive updates the state has ever implemented, and it is now officially in practice.
Key Highlights Now in Effect
Faster response and clearer communication when abuse or neglect reports are filed
Strong safeguards against conflicts of interest in DSS investigations
Safer steps before reuniting children with parents
New protections for children stuck in hospitals
Expanded background checks for child-facing jobs
Clearer timelines for safe, stable placements
Tighter oversight and agency accountability
Faster, More Transparent Investigations
As of December 1st, counties must:
Begin investigations within tight timelines
Provide written notice back to the reporting individual
Explain whether the case was accepted — and why
Allow the reporting person to request a review of DSS decisions
The law now requires more documentation and communication, reducing the mystery that too often surrounds abuse or neglect reporting.
Conflicts of Interest Are Now Handled by Outside Counties
Conflicts aren’t tolerated under the new law. If a case involves:
A DSS employee or relative
A foster parent supervised by the county
A county commissioner
A person overseen by DSS
…another county now must take the case.
If no county volunteers, the State assigns one.
This formally ensures that no one inside DSS can influence their own case.
Safe Return-to-Home Process Now Mandatory
Before a child can be returned to a parent, the law now requires:
Two observed visits, each at least an hour
Visits must be at least a week apart
All observations must occur within 30 days of the court hearing
Judges must determine that the home is safe before authorizing unsupervised visits or the return of custody.
This safeguard is already being applied in reunification cases statewide.
Hospital Placement Crisis is Now Managed Under “Christal’s Law”
Children who are medically ready to leave the hospital but have nowhere safe to go are now protected by strict procedures.
Under the new requirements:
DSS must coordinate assessments within days
Placement must happen quickly
Hospitals and DSS must cooperate
A statewide Rapid Response Team intervenes when delays arise
Children are no longer left languishing in emergency rooms, a significant issue the new law directly addresses.
Long-Term Stability: Guardianships and Permanency Planning
Judges and child welfare teams are now operating under more explicit rules that encourage stability:
Long-term living situations must be truly safe and reliable
Courts can modify guardianships when relationships collapse
Children should not linger unnecessarily in temporary placements
The law favors permanency and predictability — already reflected in court orders issued since December.
Background Checks Required for Jobs Working With Children
Counties and cities are now required to conduct criminal history checks on anyone hired into roles involving children.
The requirement is active and applies to all hires moving forward.
Foster Parents and Kin Caregivers Have a Bigger Voice
Under the new law now in effect:
Foster caregivers and kinship caretakers have a more straightforward pathway to speak up in court
Long-term caregivers have the right to be heard before a child is removed
Courts across the state are applying this procedural fairness.
Agencies Must Now Coordinate and Communicate More Clearly
The law forces governments to:
Share information (with safeguards)
Meet new response deadlines
Document decisions thoroughly
Communicate with families
These upgraded practices are now guiding how agencies interact every day.
Why These Changes Matter Now
Before December 1st, the system experienced delays, communication failures, and gaps in handling children who were stuck in hospitals or in reunification cases.
Now:
Children receive faster protection
Families get clearer communication
Safety checks are built into reunifications
Hospitals and DSS must work together
Conflicts of interest are removed from investigations
Bottom Line: A Dramatic Step Toward Safer, More Effective Child Welfare
With the reforms now active:
Children are safer
Investigations are more transparent
Outcomes are more stable
Accountability is stronger
Communication is improved
This law is now reshaping how North Carolina protects its most vulnerable, and outcomes are expected to be impactful.