GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2023

SESSION LAW 2023-135

HOUSE BILL 361

AN ACT to require the protection and advocacy agency FOR north carolina to report its actions regarding its impact on persons with disabilities.

Whereas, the action of North Carolina's Protection and Advocacy Agency has a direct impact on the budget of the State of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Protection and Advocacy Agency's actions have an impact on citizens with disabilities; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The designated Protection and Advocacy Agency (Agency) for this State shall report to the General Assembly as provided in this section. Upon review, the General Assembly is encouraged to examine the activities of the Agency to determine the impact on current and future State budgets. The Agency is encouraged to annually hold six meetings with the public throughout the State to share the Agency's findings in the reports required by this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed as impacting the Agency's ability to perform work within its governing laws. The reports shall be submitted as follows:

(1)        A report submitted twice a year of actions the Agency has taken in its efforts to advocate for persons with disabilities. The Agency shall submit its reports to the chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Health and Human Services during session and to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services during the interim.

(2)        A report submitted by December 1, 2023, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the Agency's measured successes in advocating for persons with disabilities, which shall contain specific examples of how the Agency reduced barriers to employment, enabled independent living, and increased postsecondary educational opportunities for persons with disabilities.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective on the date that House Bill 125, 2023 Regular Session, becomes law. If, by December 31, 2023, House Bill 125, 2023 Regular Session, has not become law, then this act shall expire on that date.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 22^nd day of September, 2023.

                                                                    s/  Phil Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

This bill having been presented to the Governor for signature on the 22^nd day of September, 2023 and the Governor having failed to approve it within the time prescribed by law, the same is hereby declared to have become a law.

This 3^rd day of October, 2023,

                                                                    s/  Greg Johnson

                                                                         Enrolling Clerk