Associated Press
RALEIGH -- People suspected of child abuse by social service workers must have the chance to defend themselves before they're put on a list that could affect their future adoption rights and employment, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
In a first-of-its-kind ruling in North Carolina, the three-judge panel determined current procedures in state law so someone can challenge being added to the "Responsible Individuals List" violates the North Carolina constitution by denying due process rights.
More than 8,000 people are on the list held by the Department of Health and Human Services, which can provide information from the list to day care centers, adult care homes or adoption agencies so they can better evaluate whether a person is fit to be a parent or child care provider.
The list is designed as a complement to other information such as criminal background checks, but it's not available to the public.
A person doesn't have to be charged with a crime to be put on the list. A social services worker investigating a maltreatment claim only must determine the person as the "individual responsible for abuse or substantial neglect."
