If you are placed on the Responsible Individuals List you can be prevented from teaching, coaching, working in child care, adopting children, or from becoming a foster parent. If you have a passion for working with our youth and you have received notice from CPS of their intention to place you on the RIL list, the clock is ticking. You need to act fast to protect your constitutional rights.
When Child Protective Services completes an investigative assessment on a family that has been reported to the agency, the agency must determine whether there is one or more persons responsible for abusing or seriously neglecting a child. In most CPS situations, parents are the persons deemed responsible for the abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child. However, in some unique situations, persons other than parents can be held accountable for the serious neglect or abuse.
If CPS determines that a person has seriously neglected or abused a child, the agency is mandated by the State of North Carolina to take steps to place the “perpetrator” on the state wide responsible individuals list. As of right now, the RIL list is not available to anyone in the general public. However certain agencies have automatic access to the list, and other organizations can request information about whether a person is on the RIL list.
If you are placed on the list, there can be severe consequences.
If you have received notice from CPS that the agency has identified you as a perpetrator in an investigation, you need to obtain immediate legal advice to discuss the consequences of being placed on this list,,how you can avoid list placement, and your right to appeal the agency’s decision.
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The consequences for being placed on the RIL list may prevent a person from:
- working in certain fields, such as child care or teaching
- coaching children in school sponsored or state and private sponsored extracurricular sports
- becoming a foster parent
- adopting a child
These rights have been identified by the North Carolina Court of Appeals as Constitutionally protected interests. You are entitled to a hearing prior to being placed on the RIL list.
If you are named as a responsible person and have received notice of CPS’ intent to add you to the RIL list, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. There are specific deadlines you must meet in order to request a hearing and prevent your name from being added to the list. If you’ve already had your hearing and been added to the RIL, there is a limited amount of time for you to appeal the RIL decision. Contact us to discuss your legal options regarding the Responsible Individuals List.
- Learn more about the RIL List at the UNC School of Government.
