Rep. Davis files bill in North Carolina House to expand guardianship assistance program

A new bill filed by State Rep. Ted Davis Jr. seeks to broaden support for youth in foster care by expanding eligibility and creating financial assistance for kinship guardianships, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 795 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Increased Access for Youth in Foster Families.’

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

In essence, this bill expands eligibility for the Guardianship Assistance Program in North Carolina to include youth aged 10, with eligibility continuing until 18 or potentially 21 under certain conditions. It establishes a new part, Kinship Guardianship Assistance (KinGAP), providing financial support for children leaving foster care into relative guardianships. Eligibility criteria include being removed from the home under specific circumstances, no viable reunification or adoption options, and being under the care of a county child welfare agency. Payments can continue after age 18 if certain education or employment criteria are met. The bill also outlines procedures for negotiated guardianship agreements and reimbursement rates matching foster care rates, with additional child and guardian support services. The act’s provisions primarily take effect on July 1, 2025, with temporary rules to guide implementation until permanent rules are established.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donnie Loftis proposed the most bills (45) 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.

Davis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA and again from Wake Forest University Law School with a JD.

Davis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 20th House district, replacing previous state representative Holly Grange.