§ 48-3-304. Fees for preplacement assessment. - North Carolina Statutes

§48‑3‑304.  Fees for preplacement assessment.

(a)        An agency thatprepares a preplacement assessment may charge a reasonable fee for doing so,even if the individual being assessed requests that it not be completed. No feemay be charged except pursuant to a written agreement which must be signed bythe individual to be charged prior to the beginning of the assessment. The feeagreement may not be based on the outcome of the assessment or any adoption.

(b)        An assessment feeis subject to review by the court pursuant to G.S. 48‑2‑602 andG.S. 48‑2‑603 if the person who is assessed files a petition toadopt.

(c)        The Departmentshall set the maximum fees, based on the individual's ability to pay and otherfactors, which may be charged by county departments of social services. TheDepartment shall require waiver of fees for those unable to pay. Fees collectedunder this section shall be applied to the costs of preparing preplacementassessments and shall be used by the county department of social services to supplementand not to supplant appropriated funds. (1995, c. 457, s. 2.)