North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina H165: Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office.
Status: In committee, May 28, 2026
What the bill says
An act to establish the child and family welfare ombudsman office within the department of health and human services.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read: "Part 6A. Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office. "§ 143B-156.1. Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office. (a) Establishment. - There is hereby established the Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office within the Department of Health and Human Services. The Office shall report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Office shall focus on youth, birth families, and resource parents that are directly involved in the North Carolina child welfare system, including (i) assisting foster parents with issues, (ii) resolving conflicts related to the licensing of family and therapeutic foster homes, (iii) placing children in foster care and assisting in adoption procedures, and (iv) providing support and information to assist the foster care process, and (v) other related matters. The Office shall advocate on behalf of these populations in this State and support their rights to ensure their voices are heard and concerns are addressed. The Secretary shall select a person who is qualified with unique or lived experience, with a familiarity with State and federal laws …
Sponsors
- Torbett, John A. (R, 108) · primary sponsor
- Loftis, Donnie (R, 109) · primary sponsor
- Branson, Jerry (R, 59)
- Cotham (R)
- Cunningham, Carla D. (I, 106)
- Jackson, Neal (R, 78)
- McNeely, Jeffrey C. (R, 84)
- Moss, Ben T. (R, 52)
- Ward, Bill (R, 5)
- Willingham, Shelly (D, 23)
- Willis, David (R, 68)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Serial Referral To Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Stricken
- : Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: BUDGETING, MANAGEMENT, DHHS, MINORS, PUBLIC, SOCIAL SERVICES, APPROPRIATIONS
Common questions
- What is H165?
- H165 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office.
- What does H165 do?
- In its own words: An act to establish the child and family welfare ombudsman office within the department of health and human services.
- What is the status of H165?
- In committee as of May 28, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (May 28, 2026).
- Who sponsored H165?
- Torbett, John A. (R, 108), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H165?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H165
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.