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Bill Summary · SB 845

Summary of SB 845 (Session 2025) – North Carolina

Title

Luggage for Children Placed in Foster Care

Purpose and Intent

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), specifically the Division of Social Services, to provide new luggage to children who are placed in foster care, including those being removed from a household or entering the foster system. The goal is to ensure children have access to new, individual luggage for their personal belongings rather than using disposable bags.

Key Provisions

  1. Funding and Allocation

    • Creates appropriations from the General Fund:
      • Recurring funds: $142,000 starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
      • Nonrecurring funds: $335,880 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
    • Funds are to be allocated to county Departments of Social Services (DSS) to provide new luggage to:
      • Children entering foster care (new entrants).
      • Children already in foster care.
    • The Department may seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations to implement the act.

  2. Definition of “New Luggage”

    • “New luggage” means a suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or similar container designed to hold an individual’s personal belongings and that has not been previously used.
    • The term explicitly excludes disposable bags.

  3. Reporting and Oversight (Annual)

    • By December 1 each year, the Division must report to:
      • Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services
      • Fiscal Research Division
    • The report must include: 1) The number of instances a disposable bag was used to transport a child’s belongings and the reason the county DSS did not provide new luggage. 2) The supply and inventory management procedures for the new luggage supply.

  4. Effective Date

    • The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Affected Entities

  • Primary: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Social Services.
  • Secondary: County Departments of Social Services (DSS), foster care children (new entrants and currently in foster care), and potentially foster families and caregivers who handle placement logistics.

Potential Impacts

  • Positive impacts:

    • Improves dignity and stability for children entering or already in foster care by ensuring they have dedicated, new luggage for belongings.
    • May reduce the use of disposable bags, aligning with child welfare best practices and reducing potential embarrassment or stigma.
    • Provides a formal funding stream and accountability through annual reporting on luggage supply and disposal bag usage.

  • Operational considerations:

    • DSS must establish and maintain inventory and distribution procedures for the new luggage.
    • Annual reporting adds oversight requirements to monitor compliance and program effectiveness.

Timeline Highlights

  • July 1, 2026: Effective date; funding and program implementation begin.
  • 2026-2027: First year of funding availability (recurring and nonrecurring).
  • December 1, 2026 (and each subsequent year): Annual reporting deadline to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division.

Notes

  • The bill explicitly permits the DHHS Division to receive external gifts, grants, and donations to support the program.
  • The focus remains on ensuring new luggage is provided at the point of removal from a home and for children already in care, reinforcing a standardized standard of care across counties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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