Rep. Stevens files bill in North Carolina House to clarify juvenile placement procedures

A new bill filed by State Rep. Sarah Stevens seeks to clarify procedures and prioritize relative placements in cases involving abused, neglected, or dependent juveniles, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 648 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Disposition Placement/Findings of Fact.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends North Carolina General Statutes 7B-903 and 7B-505 to clarify the procedures and timing for considering nonrelative placements in cases of nonsecure custody and disposition for abused, neglected, or dependent juveniles. It requires that courts prioritize placements with relatives if they are willing and able to provide a safe and proper home, and restricts nonrelative placements to certain conditions, such as when no suitable relative is available or when such placement would be contrary to the juvenile’s best interests. The bill also mandates that efforts be made to keep siblings together and to involve the juvenile’s tribe if applicable. Additionally, the bill requires courts to consider the juvenile’s current community and complies with relevant federal statutes in cross-state placements. This act takes effect Oct. 1, 2025, and applies to actions filed on or after that date.

Stevens proposed another 20 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.

Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.