NASW-NC Legislative Update, March 15, 2021

Legislators have been working with Governor Cooper on a school reopening plan since he vetoed Senate Bill 37. Last week, legislative leaders, with support from Governor Cooper, introduced Senate Bill 220 The Reopen Our Schools Act of 2021 which allows for full time, in-person learning for all K-12 schools. Elementary schools will open on Plan A. Middle and high schools will have the option to open either on Plan A or Plan B. Schools have to open within 21 days of the bill of the legislation being enacted but could choose to start earlier. The bill passed the House and the Senate with no opposition and was quickly signed into law by Governor Cooper.

Last week, the Senate advanced Senate Bill 101 Require Cooperation With ICE 2.0. This bill would require law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). The original bill did not put limits on types of crimes to hold someone for 48 hours. However, the bill was amended to require checks for individuals charged with felony drug offenses and some criminal offenses. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. NASW-NC is opposed to this legislation.

Bills of Interest to Social Workers

• SB 191 The No Patient Left Alone Act:  This legislation would provide patient visitation during declared disasters and emergencies. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate free informational materials explaining visitation rights to hospitals, nursing homes, adult care homes, and other congregate care settings.
• SB 199 Freedom From Abuse: This would requires public schools to provide students with information and resources on child abuse and neglect. It also requires information and resources on sexual abuse that are age appropriate.
• SB 200 CPS Intake Screening/PED: This legislation would prohibit local counties from implementing child protective services intake screening criteria that is more stringent than, or in addition to, state policy. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the intake screening process as recommended by the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee.
• HB 261 Raise Min. Age/Juvenile Jurisdiction: This legislation changes the definition of delinquent juvenile to juveniles at least ten years of age. Our current law allows children as young as six to be treated as a delinquent. 
• SB 226 Amend HIE Mandatory Particip. & Enforcement: This bill moves the deadline that providers must be connected to the Health Information Exchange. The new connection for most social workers would be October 1, 2022. While this is great news, the bill does require a $10 per claim fine for not complying with HIEA regulation.
• HB 290 Make Certain Drug Offenses: This legislation reclassifies misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia. The legislation would make these lower-level offenses.