Department of Health and Human Services.
§ 143B-136: Repealed by Session Laws 1997-443, s. 11A.2.
§ 143B-136.1. Department of Health and Human Services - creation.
There is created a department to be known as the "Department of Health and Human Services," with the organization, duties, functions, and powers defined in this Article and other applicable provisions of law. (1997-443, s. 11A.3.)
§ 143B-137: Repealed by Session Laws 1997-443, s. 11A.2.
§ 143B-137.1. Department of Health and Human Services - duties.
It shall be the duty of the Department to provide the necessary management, development of policy, and establishment and enforcement of standards for the provisions of services in the fields of public and mental health and rehabilitation with the intent to assist all citizens - as individuals, families, and communities - to achieve and maintain an adequate level of health, social and economic well-being, and dignity. Whenever possible, the Department shall emphasize preventive measures to avoid or to reduce the need for costly emergency treatments that often result from lack of forethought. The Department shall establish priorities to eliminate those excessive expenses incurred by the State for lack of adequate funding or careful planning of preventive measures. (1997-443, s. 11A.3.)
§ 143B-138: Repealed by Session Laws 1997-443, s. 11A.2.
§ 143B-138.1. Department of Health and Human Services - functions and organization.
(a) All functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the following commissions, boards, councils, committees, or subunits of the Department of Human Resources are transferred to and vested in the Department of Health and Human Services by a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6:
(1) Division of Aging.
(2) Division of Services for the Blind.
(3) Division of Medical Assistance.
(4) Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.
(5) Division of Social Services.
(6) Division of Health Service Regulation.
(7) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
(8) Repealed by Session Laws 1998-202, s. 4(v), effective January 1, 1999.
(9) Division of Services for the Deaf and the Blind.
(10) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-326, s. 19, effective June 27, 2011.
(11) Division of Child Development.
(12) Office of Rural Health.
(b) All functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the following commissions, boards, councils, committees, or subunits of the Department of Human Resources are transferred to and vested in the Department of Health and Human Services by a Type II transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6:
(1) Respite Care Program.
(2) Governor's Advisory Council on Aging.
(3) Commission for the Blind.
(4) Professional Advisory Committee.
(5) Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind.
(6) Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
(7) Social Services Commission.
(8) Child Day Care Commission.
(9) Medical Care Commission.
(10) Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.
(11), (12) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-247, s. 3, effective July 3, 2013.
(13) North Carolina Council for the Hearing Impaired.
(14) Repealed by Session Laws 2002, ch. 126, s. 10.10D(c), effective October 1, 2002.
(15) Council on Developmental Disabilities.
(c) The functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the following commissions, boards, councils, committees, or subunits of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources are transferred to and vested in the Department of Health and Human Services by a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6:
(1) Division of Dental Health.
(2) State Center for Health Statistics.
(3) Division of Epidemiology.
(4) Division of Health Promotion.
(5) Division of Maternal and Child Health.
(6) Office of Minority Health.
(7) Office of Public Health Nursing.
(8) Division of Laboratory Services.
(9) Office of Local Health Services.
(10) Division of Postmortem Medicolegal Examinations.
(11) Office of Women's Health.
(d) All functions, powers, duties, and obligations previously vested in the following commissions, boards, councils, committees, or subunits of the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources are transferred to and vested in the Department of Health and Human Services by a Type II transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6:
(1) Commission for Public Health.
(2) Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome.
(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-266, s. 1.30(b), effective July 1, 2011.
(4) Commission of Anatomy.
(5) Minority Health Advisory Council.
(6) Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control.
(7) Well Contractors Certification Commission.
(e) The Department of Health and Human Services is vested with all other functions, powers, duties, and obligations as are conferred by the Constitution and laws of this State. (1997-443, s. 11A.3; 1998-202, s. 4(v); 2002-126, s. 10.10D(c); 2007-182, ss. 1, 2; 2011-266, s. 1.30(b); 2011-326, s. 19; 2013-247, s. 3; 2021-180, s. 9G.7(d); 2023-65, s. 5.2(a).)
§ 143B-139. Department of Health and Human Services - head.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall be the head of the Department. (1973, c. 476, s. 120; 1997-443, s. 11A.122.)
§ 143B-139.1. Secretary of Health and Human Services to adopt rules applicable to local health and human services agencies.
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may adopt rules applicable to local health and human services agencies for the purpose of program evaluation, fiscal audits, and collection of third-party payments. The Secretary may adopt and enforce rules governing:
(1) The placement of individuals in licensable facilities located outside the individual's community and ability of the providers to return the individual to the individual's community as soon as possible without detriment to the individual or the community.
(2) The monitoring of mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services.
(3) The communication procedures between the area authority or county program, the local department of social services, the local education authority, and the criminal justice agency, if involved with the individual, regarding the placement of the individual outside the individual's community and the transfer of the individual's records in accordance with law.
(4) The enrollment and revocation of enrollment of Medicaid providers who have been previously sanctioned by the Department and want to provide services under this Article. (1975, c. 875, s. 45; 1997-443, s. 11A.101; 2002-164, s. 4.5.)
§ 143B-139.1A. Secretary of Health and Human Services; rules to implement the Emergency Solutions Grant Program.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may adopt rules to implement the Emergency Solutions Grant Program. The Department of Health and Human Services shall enforce any rules adopted under this section. (2023-65, s. 1.1.)
§ 143B-139.2. Secretary of Health and Human Services requests for grants-in-aid from non-State agencies.
It is the intent of this General Assembly that non-State health and human services agencies submit their appropriation requests for grants-in-aid through the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly, and that agencies receiving these grants, at the request of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, provide a postaudit of their operations that has been done by a certified public accountant. (1975, c. 875, s. 16; 1989, c. 727, s. 173; 1997-443, s. 11A.102; 2006-203, s. 103.)
§ 143B-139.2A: Repealed by Session Laws 2017-57, s. 11A.14(g), effective July 1, 2017.
§ 143B-139.3. Department of Health and Human Services - authority to contract with other entities.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to contract with any governmental agency, person, association, or corporation for the accomplishment of its duties and responsibilities provided that the expenditure of funds pursuant to such contracts shall be for the purposes for which the funds were appropriated and is not otherwise prohibited by law.
(b) The Department is authorized to enter into contracts with and to act as intermediary between any federal government agency and any county of this State for the purpose of assisting the county to recover monies expended by a county-funded financial assistance program; and, as a condition of such assistance, the county shall agree to hold and save harmless the Department against any claims, loss, or expense which the Department might incur under the contracts by reason of any erroneous, unlawful, or tortious act or omission of the county or its officials, agents, or employees. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1094, s. 1; 1983, c. 13; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-139.3A. Contracts with nonprofit grantees.
(a) Contract Time and Continuity. -
(1) [Minimum Term. -] In efforts to support the continuity of services provided by a nonprofit grantee receiving State or federal funds or any combination of State and federal funds through a financial assistance contract, the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) shall enter into a contract agreement for a minimum of two years with such nonprofit grantee if the following requirements are met:
a. The nonprofit grantee is receiving nonrecurring funds for each year of a fiscal biennium.
b. The nonprofit grantee is receiving recurring funds for each year of a fiscal biennium.
b1. The nonprofit grantee is receiving any combination of recurring and nonrecurring funds for each year of a fiscal biennium.
c. Multiyear contracts are not otherwise prohibited by the funding source.
(2) Option for Contract Extension. - A nonprofit grantee receiving recurring federal grant funds through a financial assistance contract has the option to extend the contract for up to one additional year at the end of the initial term of the contract if all of the following requirements are met:
a. The extension is mutually agreed upon by the Department and the nonprofit grantee, through a written amendment as provided for in the terms and conditions of the contract.
b. Funding for the contract remains available.
(3) Automatic Contract Extension. - The Department shall allow any nonprofit grantee receiving recurring or nonrecurring State or federal funds, or any combination of State and federal funds, through a financial assistance contract for each year of a fiscal biennium to automatically activate a limited-time contract extension for a period of up to three months to preserve continuity of services when a formal contract extension or renewal process has not been completed within 10 business days after the expiration of the original contract; provided, however, that all of the following requirements are met:
a. The nonprofit grantee is receiving recurring funds, or nonrecurring State or federal funds, or any combination of nonrecurring State and federal funds, for each year of a fiscal biennium.
b. The nonprofit grantee has received an unqualified audit report on its most recent financial audit when an audit is required by G.S. 159-34 or 09 NCAC 03M.
c. The nonprofit grantee has a track record of timely performance and financial reporting to the Department as required by the contract.
d. The nonprofit grantee has not been identified by the Department as having a record of noncompliance with requirements of any funding source used to support the contract and has not received an undisputed notice of such noncompliance from the Department. For purposes of this requirement, noncompliance does not include issues stemming from late execution of a contract or mutually agreed upon changes to scope of work or deliverables, and undisputed notice of noncompliance does not include notice of noncompliance where the nonprofit grantee has provided written evidence of actual compliance to the Department within 30 days after receipt of a notice of noncompliance.
e. The nonprofit grantee has been in operation for at least five years.
In the event of an automatic contract extension pursuant to this subsection, the terms of the expired contract shall govern the relationship and obligations of the party until the end of the three-month contract extension period or until the execution of a formal contract extension or renewal, whichever occurs first.
(b) Negotiated Overhead Rates. - The negotiation, determination, or settlement of the reimbursable amount of overhead under cost-reimbursement type contracts is accomplished on an individual contract basis and is based upon the federally approved indirect cost rate. For grantees, including nonprofit grantees, that (i) are receiving financial assistance and do not have a federally approved indirect cost rate from a federal agency or (ii) have a previously negotiated but expired rate, the Department may allow the grantee, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.332(a)(4) or 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), to use the de minimis rate or ten percent (10%) of modified total direct costs. Alternatively, the grantee may negotiate or waive an indirect cost rate with the Department. If State or federal law or regulations establish a limitation on the amount of funds the grantee may use for administrative purposes, then that limitation controls, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(c)(3). (2022-52, s. 2(a), (c); 2023-65, s. 2.1.)
§ 143B-139.4. Department of Health and Human Services; authority to assist private nonprofit organizations.
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may allow employees of the Department or provide other appropriate services to assist any private nonprofit organization which works directly with services or programs of the Department and whose sole purpose is to support the services and programs of the Department. Except as provided in G.S. 143B-164.18, a Department employee shall be allowed to work with an organization no more than 20 hours in any one month. These services are not subject to the provisions of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.
(b) A private, nonprofit organization that receives employee assistance or other appropriate services in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, shall document all contributions received, including employee time, supplies, materials, equipment, and physical space. The documentation shall also provide an estimated value of all contributions received as well as any compensation paid to or bonuses received by State employees. This documentation shall be submitted annually to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a format approved by the Secretary. Nonprofit organizations with less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in annual income shall submit an affidavit or annual audit from the chief officer of the organization providing and attesting to the financial condition of the organization and the expenditure of funds or use of State employee services or other State services, within six months from the nonprofit's fiscal year end. The board of directors of each private, nonprofit organization with an annual income of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or more shall secure and pay for the services of the State Auditor's Office or employ a certified public accountant to conduct an annual audit of the financial accounts of the organization. The board of directors shall transmit to the Secretary of the Department a copy of the annual financial audit report of the private nonprofit organization. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve the private, nonprofit organization from other applicable reporting requirements established by law.
(c) Notwithstanding the limitations of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may assign employees of the Office of Rural Health and Resource Development to serve as in-kind match to nonprofit organizations working to establish health care programs that will improve health care access while controlling costs. (1987, c. 634, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1999-237, s. 11.3; 2001-412, s. 3; 2006-66, s. 10.19.)
§ 143B-139.4A. Office of Rural Health to work with organizations for expansion of mental health and substance abuse services.
The North Carolina Office of Rural Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the North Carolina Foundation for Advanced Health Programs through the Center of Excellence in Integrated Care, the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, the Governor's Institute on Substance Abuse, North Carolina Community Care Networks, Inc., the North Carolina Community Health Center Association, and other professional associations, shall work to expand the collocation in primary care practices serving the adult population of licensed health professionals trained in providing mental health and substance abuse services. (2011-185, s. 5; 2015-241, s. 12A.16(b); 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-139.4B. Office of Rural Health to oversee and monitor establishment and administration of statewide telepsychiatry program.
(a) The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Community-based site. - Community-based health care setting to include, but not limited to, public health department, rural health center, rural health clinic, federally qualified health center, school-based health center, free and charitable clinic that accepts reimbursement.
(1a) Consultant site. - The hospital or other site at which the consulting provider is physically located at the time the consulting provider delivers the mental health or substance abuse care by means of telepsychiatry.
(1b) Consulting provider. - A physician or other health care provider licensed in this State to provide mental health or substance abuse care.
(2) Hospital. - A facility licensed under Chapter 131E or Chapter 122C of the General Statutes, or a State facility listed in G.S. 122C-181.
(3) Referring site. - The hospital or approved community-based site at which the patient is physically located.
(4) Telepsychiatry. - The delivery of mental health or substance abuse care, including diagnosis or treatment, by means of two-way real-time interactive audio and video by a consulting provider at a consultant site to an individual patient at a referring site. The term does not include the standard use of telephones, facsimile transmissions, unsecured electronic mail, or a combination of these in the course of care.
(5) Recodified as G.S. 143B-139.4B(a)(1b) by Session Laws 2018-44, s. 15.1, effective July 1, 2018.
(b) The North Carolina Office of Rural Health shall oversee the establishment and administration of a statewide telepsychiatry program that allows referring sites to utilize consulting providers at a consultant site to provide timely psychiatric assessment and rapid initiation of treatment for patients at the referring emergency department site experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis, or for patients in need of mental health or substance abuse care at an approved community-based site. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes or any other provision of law, the Office of Rural Health shall contract with East Carolina University Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health to administer the telepsychiatry program. The contract shall include a provision requiring East Carolina University Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health to work toward implementing this program on a statewide basis by no later than January 1, 2014, and to report annually to the Office of Rural Health on the following performance measures:
(1) Number of consultant sites and referring sites participating in the program.
(2) Number of psychiatric assessments conducted under the program, reported by site or region.
(3) Length of stay of patients receiving telepsychiatry services in the emergency departments of hospitals participating in the program, reported by disposition.
(4) Number of involuntary commitments recommended as a result of psychiatric assessments conducted by consulting providers under the program, reported by site or region and by year, and compared to the number of involuntary commitments recommended prior to implementation of this program.
(c) The Office of Rural Health shall have all of the following powers and duties relative to the statewide telepsychiatry program:
(1) Ongoing oversight and monitoring of the program.
(2) Ongoing monitoring of the performance of East Carolina University Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health under its contract with the Department, including all of the following:
a. Review of the performance measures described in subsection (b) of this section.
b. Annual site visits to East Carolina University Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health.
(3) Facilitation of program linkages with critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals.
(4) Conducting visits to referring sites and consultant sites to monitor implementation of the program; and upon implementation, conducting these site visits at least once annually.
(5) Addressing barriers and concerns identified by consulting providers, consultant sites, and referring sites participating in the program.
(6) Encouraging participation in the program by all potential consultant sites, consulting providers, and referring sites throughout the State and promoting continued participation in the program by consultant sites, consulting providers, and referring sites throughout the State.
(7) Compiling a list of recommendations for future tele-health initiatives, based on operation of the statewide telepsychiatry program.
(8) Reviewing on a quarterly basis the financial statements of East Carolina University Center for Telepsychiatry and e-Behavioral Health related to the telepsychiatry program in order to compare and monitor projected and actual program costs.
(9) Annually reporting to the Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on or before November 1 on the operation and effectiveness of the program. The report shall include information on each of the performance measures described in subsection (b) of this section.
(d) The Department shall adopt rules necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients who receive care, diagnosis, or treatment under the telepsychiatry program authorized by this section. (2013-360, s. 12A.2B(b); 2015-241, s. 12A.16(b); 2018-44, s. 15.1; 2019-177, s. 8.)
§ 143B-139.4C. Office of Rural Health; administration of loan repayment programs.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Rural Health, shall use funds appropriated to the Department for loan repayment to medical, dental, and psychiatric providers practicing in State hospitals or in rural or medically underserved communities in this State to combine the following loan repayment programs in order to achieve efficient and effective management of these programs:
(1) The Physician Loan Repayment Program.
(2) The Psychiatric Loan Repayment Program.
(3) The Loan Repayment Initiative at State Facilities.
(b) These funds may be used for the following additional purposes:
(1) Continued funding of the State Loan Repayment Program for primary care providers and expansion of State incentives to general surgeons practicing in Critical Access Hospitals located across the State.
(2) Expansion of the State Loan Repayment Program to include eligible providers residing in North Carolina who use telemedicine in rural and underserved areas. (2017-57, s. 11A.9; 2018-88, s. 3(a).)
§ 143B-139.4D. Department of Health and Human Services; coordination of health information technology.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, in cooperation with the State Chief Information Officer, shall coordinate health information technology policies and programs within the State of North Carolina. The goal of the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Health and Human Services in coordinating State health information technology policy and programs shall be to avoid duplication of efforts and to ensure that each State agency, public entity, and private entity that undertakes health information technology activities does so within the area of its greatest expertise and technical capability and in a manner that supports coordinated State and national goals, which shall include at least all of the following:
(1) Ensuring that patient health information is secure and protected, in accordance with applicable law.
(2) Improving health care quality, reducing medical errors, reducing health disparities, and advancing the delivery of patient-centered medical care.
(3) Providing appropriate information to guide medical decisions at the time and place of care.
(4) Ensuring meaningful public input into health information technology infrastructure development.
(5) Improving the coordination of information among hospitals, laboratories, physicians' offices, and other entities through an effective infrastructure for the secure and authorized exchange of health care information.
(6) Improving public health services and facilitating early identification and rapid response to public health threats and emergencies, including bioterrorist events and infectious disease outbreaks.
(7) Facilitating health and clinical research.
(8) Promoting early detection, prevention, and management of chronic diseases.
(b) The Department, in cooperation with the Department of Information Technology, shall establish and direct a health information technology management structure that is efficient and transparent and that is compatible with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (National Coordinator) governance mechanism. The health information technology management structure shall be responsible for all of the following:
(1) Developing a State Plan for implementing and ensuring compliance with national health information technology standards and for the most efficient, effective, and widespread adoption of health information technology.
(2) Ensuring that (i) specific populations are effectively integrated into the State Plan, including aging populations, populations requiring mental health services, and populations utilizing the public health system, and (ii) unserved and underserved populations receive priority consideration for health information technology support.
(3) Identifying all health information technology stakeholders and soliciting feedback and participation from each stakeholder in the development of the State Plan.
(4) Ensuring that existing health information technology capabilities are considered and incorporated into the State Plan.
(5) Identifying and eliminating conflicting health information technology efforts where necessary.
(6) Identifying available resources for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of health information technology, including identifying resources and available opportunities for North Carolina institutions of higher education.
(7) Ensuring that potential State Plan participants are aware of health information technology policies and programs and the opportunity for improved health information technology.
(8) Monitoring health information technology efforts and initiatives in other states and replicating successful efforts and initiatives in North Carolina.
(9) Monitoring the development of the National Coordinator's strategic plan and ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of and in compliance with its requirements.
(10) Monitoring the progress and recommendations of the Health Information Technology Policy and Standards Committee and ensuring that all stakeholders remain informed of the Committee's recommendations.
(11) Monitoring all studies and reports provided to the United States Congress and reporting to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology and the Fiscal Research Division on the impact of report recommendations on State efforts to implement coordinated health information technology. (2017-57, s. 11A.1; 2018-5, s. 11A.1.)
§ 143B-139.5. Department of Health and Human Services; adult care State/county share of costs for State-County Special Assistance programs.
State funds available to the Department of Health and Human Services shall pay fifty percent (50%), and the counties shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the authorized rates for care in adult care homes including area mental health agency-operated or contracted-group homes, special care units, and in-home living arrangements. The Department shall use the State's appropriation to the State-County Special Assistance program for this program and for rental assistance. Each county shall use county funds budgeted for the State-County Special Assistance program for this program and for rental assistance. (1991, c. 689, s. 128; 1995, c. 535, s. 31; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2012-142, s. 10.23(f); 2014-100, s. 12D.2; 2021-180, s. 9A.3A(c); 2022-74, s. 9A.1(b).)
§ 143B-139.5A. Collaboration between Division of Social Services and Commission of Indian Affairs on Indian Child Welfare Issues.
The Division of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services, shall work in collaboration with the Commission of Indian Affairs, Department of Administration, and the North Carolina Directors of Social Services Association to develop, in a manner consistent with federal law, an effective process through which the following can be accomplished:
(1) Establishment of a relationship between the Division of Social Services and the Indian tribes set forth in G.S. 143B-407(a), either separately or through a central entity, that will enable these tribes, in general, and tribal councils or other tribal organizations, in particular, to receive reasonable notice of identified Indian children who are being placed in foster care or adoption or who otherwise enter the child protective services system, and to be consulted on policies and other matters pertinent to placement of Indian children in foster care or adoption.
(2) Agreement on a process by which North Carolina Indians might be identified and recruited for purposes of becoming foster care and adoptive parents.
(3) Agreement on a process by which the cultural, social, and historical perspective and significance associated with Indian life may be taught to appropriate child welfare workers and to foster and adoptive parents.
(4) Identification or formation of Indian child welfare advocacy, placement and training entities with which the Department of Health and Human Services might contract or otherwise form partnerships for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this act.
(5) Development of a valid and reliable process through which Indian children within the child welfare system can be identified.
(6) Identify the appropriate roles of the State and of Indian tribes, organizations and agencies to ensure successful means for securing the best interests of Indian children. (2001-309, s. 1.)
§ 143B-139.5B. Department of Health and Human Services - provision for joint training.
The Department of Health and Human Services shall offer joint training of Division of Health Service Regulation consultants, county DSS adult home specialists, and adult care home providers. The training shall be offered no fewer than two times per year, and subject matter of the training should be based on one or more of the 10 deficiencies cited most frequently in the State during the immediately preceding calendar year. The joint training shall be designed to reduce inconsistencies experienced by providers in the survey process, to increase objectivity by DHSR consultants and DSS specialists in conducting surveys, and to promote a higher degree of understanding between facility staff and DHSR consultants and DSS specialists in what is expected during the survey process. (2001-385, s. 1(c); 2007-182, s. 1; 2008-187, s. 25.)
§ 143B-139.5C. Internet data warehouse for provider records; annual review of accrediting body policies to avoid duplication.
(a) The Secretary shall allow private sector development and implementation of an Internet-based, secure, and consolidated data warehouse and archive for maintaining corporate, fiscal, and administrative records of providers by September 1, 2011. This data warehouse shall not be used to store consumer records. Use of the consolidated data warehouse by the service provider agency is optional. Providers that choose to utilize the data warehouse shall ensure that the data is up to date and accessible to the regulatory body. A provider shall submit any revised, updated information to the data warehouse within 10 business days after receiving the request. The regulatory body that conducts administrative monitoring must use the data warehouse for document requests. If the information provided to the regulatory body is not current or is unavailable from the data warehouse and archive, the regulatory body may contact the provider directly. A provider that fails to comply with the regulatory body's requested documents may be subject to an on-site visit to ensure compliance. Access to the data warehouse must be provided without charge to the regulatory body under this subsection.
(b) The Secretary shall review on an annual basis updates to policy made by the following national accrediting bodies: Council on Accreditation (COA), CARF International, Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), the Joint Commission, NCQA, and URAC and shall take actions necessary to ensure that DHHS policy or procedural requirements do not duplicate the updated accreditation standards. (2011-253, ss. 1(c), 2.)
§ 143B-139.6. Confidentiality of records.
All privileged patient medical records in the possession of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be confidential and shall not be public records pursuant to G.S. 132-1. (1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 20; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-139.6A. Secretary's responsibilities regarding availability of early intervention services.
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall ensure, in cooperation with other appropriate agencies, that all types of early intervention services specified in the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA), P.L. 102-119, the federal early intervention legislation, are available to all eligible infants and toddlers and their families to the extent funded by the General Assembly.
The Secretary shall coordinate and facilitate the development and administration of the early intervention system for eligible infants and toddlers and shall assign among the cooperating agencies the responsibility, including financial responsibility, for services. The Secretary shall be advised by the Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities and Their Families, established by G.S. 143B-179.5, and may enter into formal interagency agreements to establish the collaborative relationships with the Department of Public Instruction, other appropriate agencies, and other public and private service providers necessary to administer the system and deliver the services.
As part of the permission to refer parents to services under the early intervention system for eligible infants and toddlers, the Secretary shall include the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf as agencies included on any permission to refer release form provided to parents for contact regarding services.
The Secretary shall adopt rules to implement the early intervention system, in consultation with all other appropriate agencies. (2001-437, s. 1.20(b); 2016-123, s. 5.8.)
§ 143B-139.6B. Department of Health and Human Services; authority to deduct payroll for child care services.
Notwithstanding G.S. 143-3.3 and pursuant to rules adopted by the State Controller, an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services may, in writing, authorize the Department to periodically deduct from the employee's salary or wages paid for employment by the State, a designated lump sum to be paid to satisfy the cost of services received for child care provided by the Department. (2005-276, s. 10.8.)
§ 143B-139.6C. Cooling-off period for certain Department employees.
(a) Ineligible Vendors. - The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall not contract for goods or services with a vendor that employs or contracts with a person who is a former employee of the Department and uses that person in the administration of a contract with the Department.
(b) Vendor Certification. - The Secretary shall require each vendor submitting a bid or contract to certify that the vendor will not use a former employee of the Department in the administration of a contract with the Department in violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) A violation of the provisions of this section shall void the contract.
(d) Definitions. - As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) Administration of a contract. - The former employee's duties and responsibilities for the vendor include oversight of the performance of a contract, or authority to make decisions regarding a contract, including interpretation of a contract, development of specifications or terms of a contract, or award of a contract.
(2) Former employee of the Department. - A person who, for any period within the preceding six months, was employed as an employee or contract employee of the Department of Health and Human Services and personally participated in any of the following:
a. The award of a contract to the vendor.
b. An audit, decision, investigation, or other action affecting the vendor.
c. Regulatory or licensing decisions that applied to the vendor. (2015-245, s. 14(a); 2016-121, s. 2(i).)
§ 143B-139.7. Consolidated county human services funding.
(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules and policies to provide that:
(1) Any dedicated funding streams for local public health services, for social services, and for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services may flow to a consolidated county human services agency and the consolidated human services board in the same manner as that for funding nonconsolidated county human services, unless a different manner of allocation is otherwise required by law.
(2) The fiscal accountability and reporting requirements pertaining to local health boards, social services boards, and area mental health authority boards apply to a consolidated human services board.
(b) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services may adopt any other rule or policy required to facilitate the provision of human services by a consolidated county human services agency or a consolidated human services board.
(c) For the purposes of this section, "consolidated county human services agency" means a county human services agency created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b). "Consolidated human services board" means a county human services board established pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b). (1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-140: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 174.
§ 143B-141. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 494, effective June 10, 1983.
§§ 143B-142 through 143B-146: Recodified as §§ 130A-29 through 130A-33 by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 175.
§ 143B-146.1. Mission of schools; definitions.
(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the mission of the residential school community is to challenge with high expectations each child to learn, to achieve, and to fulfill his or her potential.
(b) The following definitions apply in this Part:
(1) Reserved.
(2) Department. - The Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) Instructional personnel. - Assistant principals, teachers, instructional personnel, instructional support personnel, and teacher assistants employed in a residential school.
(4) Participating school. - A residential school that is required to participate in the Program.
(4a) Program. - The School-Based Management and Accountability Program developed by the State Board.
(4b) Residential school. - A school operated by the Department of Health and Human Services that provides residential services to students. For the purposes of this Part, "residential school" does not include a school operated pursuant to Article 9C of Chapter 115C.
(5) Residential school personnel. - The individuals included in G.S. 143B-146.16(a)(2).
(6) Schools. - The residential schools under the control of the Secretary.
(7) Secretary. - The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(8) State Board. - The State Board of Education.
(9) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-247, s. 5, effective July 3, 2013. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 1; 2013-247, s. 4; 2015-65, s. 1.3.)
§ 143B-146.2. School-Based Management and Accountability Program in residential schools.
(a) The Secretary, in consultation with the General Assembly and the State Board, may designate residential schools that must participate in the Program. The primary goal of the Program is to improve student performance. The Program is based upon an accountability, recognition, assistance, and intervention process in order to hold each participating school, its principal, and the instructional personnel accountable for improved student performance in that school.
(b) In order to support the participating schools in the implementation of this Program, the State Board, in consultation with the Secretary, shall adopt guidelines, including guidelines to:
(1) Assist the Secretary and the participating schools in the development and implementation of the Program.
(2) Recognize the participating schools that meet or exceed their goals.
(3) Identify participating schools that are low-performing and assign assistance teams to those schools. The assistance teams should include individuals with expertise in residential schools, individuals with experience in the education of children with disabilities, and others the State Board, in consultation with the Secretary, considers appropriate.
(4) Enable assistance teams to make appropriate recommendations.
(c) The Program shall provide increased decision making and parental involvement at the school level with the goal of improving student performance.
(d) Consistent with improving student performance, the Secretary shall provide maximum flexibility to participating schools in the use of funds to enable those schools to accomplish their goals. (1998-131, s. 5; 2001-424, s. 21.81(c); 2005-195, s. 2; 2013-247, s. 5; 2015-65, s. 1.4.)
§ 143B-146.3. Annual performance goals.
The Program shall (i) focus on student performance in the basics of reading, mathematics, and communications skills in elementary and middle schools, (ii) focus on student performance in courses required for graduation and on other measures required by the State Board in the high schools, and (iii) hold participating schools accountable for the educational growth of their students. To those ends, the State Board shall design and implement an accountability system that sets annual performance standards for each participating school in order to measure the growth in performance of the students in each individual school. (1998-131, s. 5; 2015-65, s. 1.5.)
§ 143B-146.4: Repealed by Session Laws 2015-65, s. 1.6, effective June 11, 2015.
§ 143B-146.5. Identification of low-performing schools.
(a) The State Board shall design and implement a procedure to identify low-performing schools on an annual basis. Low-performing schools are those participating schools in which there is a failure to meet the minimum growth standards, as defined by the State Board, and a majority of students are performing below grade level.
(b) By July 10 of each year, the Secretary shall do a preliminary analysis of test results to determine which participating schools the State Board may identify as low-performing under this section. The Secretary then shall proceed under G.S. 143B-146.7. In addition, within 30 days of the initial identification of a school as low-performing by the Secretary or the State Board, whichever occurs first, the Secretary shall develop a preliminary plan for addressing the needs of that school. Before the Secretary adopts this plan, the Secretary shall make the plan available to the residential school personnel and the parents and guardians of the students of the school, and shall allow for written comments. Within five days of adopting the plan, the Secretary shall submit the plan to the State Board. The State Board shall review the plan expeditiously and, if appropriate, may offer recommendations to modify the plan. The Secretary shall consider any recommendations made by the State Board.
(c) Each identified low-performing school shall provide written notification to the parents of students attending that school. The written notification shall include a statement that the State Board of Education has found that the school has "failed to meet the minimum growth standards, as defined by the State Board, and a majority of students in the school are performing below grade level." This notification also shall include a description of the steps the school is taking to improve student performance. (1998-131, s. 5.)
§ 143B-146.6. Assistance teams; review by State Board.
(a) The State Board may assign an assistance team to any school identified as low-performing under this Part or to any other school that the State Board determines would benefit from an assistance team. The State Board shall give priority to low-performing schools in which the educational performance of the students is declining. The Department shall, with the approval of the Secretary, provide staff as needed and requested by an assistance team.
(b) When assigned to an identified low-performing school, an assistance team shall:
(1) Review and investigate all facets of school operations, including instructional and residential, and assist in developing recommendations for improving student performance at that school.
(2) Evaluate at least semiannually the principal and instructional personnel assigned to the school and make findings and recommendations concerning their performance.
(3) Collaborate with school staff, the Department, and the Secretary in the design, implementation, and monitoring of a plan that, if fully implemented, can reasonably be expected to alleviate problems and improve student performance at that school.
(4) Make recommendations as the school develops and implements this plan.
(5) Review the school's progress.
(6) Report, as appropriate, to the Secretary, the State Board, and the parents on the school's progress. If an assistance team determines that an accepted school improvement plan developed under G.S. 143B-146.12 is impeding student performance at a school, the team may recommend to the Secretary that he vacate the relevant portions of that plan and direct the school to revise those portions.
(c) If a participating school fails to improve student performance after assistance is provided under this section, the assistance team may recommend that the assistance continue or that the Secretary take further action under G.S. 143B-146.7.
(d) The Secretary, in consultation with the State Board, shall annually review the progress made in identified low-performing schools. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 4; 2011-145, s. 7.13(u); 2011-391, s. 14(b).)
§ 143B-146.7. Consequences for personnel at low-performing schools.
(a) Within 30 days of the initial identification of a school as low-performing, whether by the Secretary under G.S. 143B-146.5(b) or by the State Board under G.S. 143B-146.5(a), the Secretary shall take one of the following actions concerning the school's principal: (i) decide whether the principal should be retained in the same position, (ii) decide whether the principal should be retained in the same position and a plan of remediation should be developed, (iii) decide whether the principal should be transferred, or (iv) proceed under the North Carolina Human Resources Act to dismiss or demote the principal. The principal may be retained in the same position without a plan for remediation only if the principal was in that position for no more than two years before the school is identified as low-performing. The principal shall not be transferred to another position unless (i) it is in a principal position in which the principal previously demonstrated at least two years of success, (ii) there is a plan to evaluate and provide remediation to the principal for at least one year following the transfer to assure the principal does not impede student performance at the school to which the principal is being transferred; and (iii) the parents of the students at the school to which the principal is being transferred are notified. The principal shall not be transferred to another low-performing school. The Secretary may, at any time, proceed under the North Carolina Human Resources Act for the dismissal of any principal who is assigned to a low-performing school to which an assistance team has been assigned. The Secretary shall proceed under the North Carolina Human Resources Act for the dismissal of any principal when the Secretary receives from the assistance team assigned to that school two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding the principal's inadequate performance. The Secretary shall order the dismissal of the principal if the Secretary determines from available information, including the findings of the assistance team, that the low performance of the school is due to the principal's inadequate performance. The Secretary may order the dismissal of the principal if (i) the Secretary determines that the school has not made satisfactory improvement after the State Board assigned an assistance team to that school; and (ii) the assistance team makes the recommendation to dismiss the principal. The Secretary may order the dismissal of a principal before the assistance team assigned to the principal's school has evaluated that principal if the Secretary determines from other available information that the low performance of the school is due to the principal's inadequate performance. The burden of proof is on the principal to establish that the factors leading to the school's low performance were not due to the principal's inadequate performance. The burden of proof is on the Secretary to establish that the school failed to make satisfactory improvement after an assistance team was assigned to the school. Two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding that person's inadequate performance from the assistance team are substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the principal. Within 15 days of the Secretary's decision concerning the principal, but no later than September 30, the Secretary shall submit to the State Board a written notice of the action taken and the basis for that action.
(b) At any time after the State Board identifies a school as low-performing under this Part, the State Board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-325(p1) or G.S. 115C-325.11 for the dismissal of licensed instructional personnel assigned to that school.
(c) At any time after the State Board identifies a school as low-performing under this Part, the Secretary shall proceed under the North Carolina Human Resources Act for the dismissal of instructional personnel who are not certificated when the Secretary receives two consecutive evaluations that include written findings and recommendations regarding that person's inadequate performance from the assistance team. These findings and recommendations shall be substantial evidence of the inadequate performance of the instructional personnel. The Secretary may proceed under the North Carolina Human Resources Act for the dismissal of instructional personnel who are not certificated when: (i) the Secretary determines that the school has failed to make satisfactory improvement after the State Board assigned an assistance team to that school; and (ii) that the assistance team makes the recommendation to dismiss that person for a reason that constitutes just cause for dismissal under the North Carolina Human Resources Act.
(d) The certificated instructional personnel working in a participating school at the time the school is identified by the State Board as low-performing are subject to G.S. 115C-105.38A.
(e) The Secretary may terminate the contract of a school administrator dismissed under this section. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Secretary from refusing to renew the contract of any person employed in a school identified as low-performing under this Part. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 5; 2013-360, s. 9.7(m), (w); 2013-382, s. 9.1(c); 2017-157, s. 2(n).)
§ 143B-146.8. Evaluation of licensed personnel and principals; action plans; State Board notification.
(a) Annual Evaluations; Low-Performing Schools. - The principal shall evaluate at least once each year all licensed personnel assigned to a participating school that has been identified as low-performing but has not received an assistance team. The evaluation shall occur early enough during the school year to provide adequate time for the development and implementation of an action plan if one is recommended under subsection (b) of this section. If the employee is a teacher as defined under G.S. 115C-325(a)(6) with career status or a teacher as defined in G.S. 115C-325.1(6) on contract, either the principal or an assessment team assigned under G.S. 143B-146.9 shall conduct the evaluation. If the employee is a school administrator as defined under G.S. 115C-287.1(a)(3), the Superintendent shall conduct the evaluation.
Notwithstanding this subsection or any other law, the principal shall observe at least three times annually, a teacher shall observe at least once annually, and the principal shall evaluate at least once annually, all teachers who have been employed for less than three consecutive years. All other employees defined as teachers under G.S. 115C-325(a)(6) with career status or teachers as defined in G.S. 115C-325.1(6) on a four-year contract who are assigned to participating schools that are not designated as low-performing shall be evaluated annually unless the State Board adopts rules that allow specified categories of teachers with career status or on four-year contracts to be evaluated more or less frequently. The State Board also may adopt rules requiring the annual evaluation of nonlicensed personnel. This section shall not be construed to limit the duties and authority of an assistance team assigned to a low-performing school.
(b) Action Plans. - If a licensed employee in a participating school that has been identified as low-performing receives an unsatisfactory or below standard rating on any function of the evaluation that is related to the employee's instructional duties, the individual or team that conducted the evaluation shall recommend to the principal that: (i) the employee receive an action plan designed to improve the employee's performance; or (ii) the principal recommend that the employee who is a career employee be dismissed or demoted as provided in G.S. 115C-325 or the employee who is a teacher on contract not be recommended for renewal; or (iii) if the employee who is a teacher on contract engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment that a proceeding for immediate dismissal or demotion under G.S. 115C-325.4 be instituted. The principal shall determine whether to develop an action plan, to not recommend renewal of the employee's contract, or to recommend a dismissal proceeding. The person who evaluated the employee or the employee's supervisor shall develop the action plan unless an assistance team or assessment team conducted the evaluation. If an assistance team or assessment team conducted the evaluation, that team shall develop the action plan in collaboration with the employee's supervisor. Action plans shall be designed to be completed within 90 instructional days or before the beginning of the next school year. The State Board shall develop guidelines that include strategies to assist in evaluating licensed personnel and developing effective action plans within the time allotted under this section. The State Board may adopt policies for the development and implementation of action plans or professional development plans for personnel who do not require action plans under this section.
(c) Reevaluation. - Upon completion of an action plan under subsection (b) of this section, the principal or the assessment team shall evaluate the employee a second time. If on the second evaluation the employee receives one unsatisfactory or more than one below standard rating on any function that is related to the employee's instructional duties, the principal shall recommend that the employee with career status be dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325, or that an employee's contract not be renewed or if the employee engages in inappropriate conduct or performs inadequately to such a degree that such conduct or performance causes substantial harm to the educational environment, that the employee be dismissed or demoted under G.S. 115C-325.4. The results of the second evaluation shall constitute substantial evidence of the employee's inadequate performance.
(d) State Board Notification. - If an employee is dismissed for cause or an employee's contract is not renewed as a result of a superintendent's recommendation under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the State Board shall be notified of the action, and the State Board annually shall provide to all local boards of education the names of those individuals. If a local board hires one of these individuals, that local board shall proceed under G.S. 115C-333(d).
(e) Civil Immunity. - There shall be no liability for negligence on the part of the Secretary or the State Board, or their employees, arising from any action taken or omission by any of them in carrying out this section. The immunity established by this subsection shall not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise be actionable. The immunity established by this subsection is waived to the extent of indemnification by insurance, indemnification under Articles 31A and 31B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, and to the extent sovereign immunity is waived under the Tort Claims Act, as set forth in Article 31 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(f) Evaluation of Principals. - Each year the Secretary shall evaluate the principals. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 6; 2013-247, s. 6; 2013-360, ss. 9.7(n), (x); 2017-157, ss. 2(k), (n).)
§ 143B-146.9. Assessment teams.
The State Board shall develop guidelines for the Secretary to use to create assessment teams. The Secretary shall assign an assessment team to every low-performing school that has not received an assistance team. The Secretary shall ensure that assessment team members are trained in the proper administration of the employee evaluation used in the participating schools. If service on an assessment team is an additional duty for an employee of a local school administrative unit or an employee of a residential school, the Secretary may pay the employee for that additional work.
Assessment teams shall:
(1) Conduct evaluations of certificated personnel in low-performing schools;
(2) Provide technical assistance and training to principals who conduct evaluations of certificated personnel;
(3) Develop action plans for certificated personnel; and
(4) Assist principals in the development and implementation of action plans. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 7.)
§ 143B-146.10. Development of performance standards and criteria for certificated personnel.
The State Board, in consultation with the Secretary, shall revise and develop uniform performance standards and criteria to be used in evaluating certificated personnel, including school administrators. These standards and criteria shall include improving student achievement, employee skills, and employee knowledge. The standards and criteria for school administrators also shall include building-level gains in student learning and effectiveness in providing for school safety and enforcing student discipline. The Secretary shall develop guidelines for evaluating principals. The guidelines shall include criteria for evaluating a principal's effectiveness in providing safe schools and enforcing student discipline. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 8.)
§ 143B-146.11. School calendar.
Each school shall adopt a school calendar that includes a minimum of 180 days and 1,000 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. In the development of its school calendar, each school shall consult with parents, the residential school personnel, and the local school administrative unit in which that school is located. (1998-131, s. 5.)
§ 143B-146.12: Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 7.13(v), effective July 1, 2011.
§ 143B-146.13. School technology plan.
(a) No later than December 15, 1998, the Secretary shall develop a school technology plan for the residential schools that meets the requirements of the State school technology plan. In developing a school technology plan, the Secretary is encouraged to coordinate its planning with other agencies of State and local government, including local school administrative units.
The Department of Information Technology shall assist the Secretary in developing the parts of the plan related to its technological aspects, to the extent that resources are available to do so. The Department of Public Instruction shall assist the Secretary in developing the instructional and technological aspects of the plan.
The Secretary shall submit the plan that is developed to the Department of Information Technology for its evaluation of the parts of the plan related to its technological aspects and to the Department of Public Instruction for its evaluation of the instructional aspects of the plan. The State Board of Education, after consideration of the evaluations of the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Public Instruction, shall approve all plans that comply with the requirements of the State school technology plan.
(b) After a plan is approved by the State Board of Education, all funds spent for technology in the residential schools shall be used to implement the school technology plan. (1998-131, s. 5; 2004-129, s. 45; 2015-241, s. 7A.4(x).)
§ 143B-146.14. Dispute resolution; appeals to Secretary.
The Secretary shall establish a procedure for the resolution of disputes between the residential schools and the parents or guardians of students who attend the schools.
An appeal shall lie from the decision of all residential school personnel to the Secretary or the Secretary's designee. In all of these appeals it is the duty of the Secretary to see that a proper notice is given to all parties concerned and that a record of the hearing is properly entered in the records. (1998-131, s. 5.)
§ 143B-146.15. Duty to report certain acts to law enforcement.
When the principal has personal knowledge or actual notice from residential school personnel or other reliable source that an act has occurred on school property involving assault resulting in serious personal injury, sexual assault, sexual offense, rape, kidnapping, indecent liberties with a minor, assault involving the use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in violation of the law, possession of a weapon in violation of the law, or possession of a controlled substance in violation of the law, the principal shall immediately report the act to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. Failure to report under this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, "school property" shall include any building, bus, campus, grounds, recreational area, or athletic field, in the charge of the principal or while the student is under the supervision of school personnel. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the principal notify the Secretary of any report made to law enforcement under this section. (1998-131, s. 5; 2005-195, s. 10; 2013-247, s. 7.)
§ 143B-146.16. Residential school personnel criminal history checks.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Criminal history" means a county, state, or federal criminal history of conviction of a crime, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, that indicates the employee (i) poses a threat to the physical safety of students or personnel, or (ii) has demonstrated that he or she does not have the integrity or honesty to fulfill his or her duties as school personnel. Such crimes include the following North Carolina crimes contained in any of the following Articles of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes: Article 5A, Endangering Executive and Legislative Officers; Article 6, Homicide; Article 7B, Rape and Other Sex Offenses; Article 8, Assaults; Article 10, Kidnapping and Abduction; Article 13, Malicious Injury or Damage by Use of Explosive or Incendiary Device or Material; Article 14, Burglary and Other Housebreakings; Article 15, Arson and Other Burnings; Article 16, Larceny; Article 17, Robbery; Article 18, Embezzlement; Article 19, False Pretense and Cheats; Article 19A, Obtaining Property or Services by False or Fraudulent Use of Credit Device or Other Means; Article 20, Frauds; Article 21, Forgery; Article 26, Offenses Against Public Morality and Decency; Article 26A, Adult Establishments; Article 27, Prostitution; Article 28, Perjury; Article 29, Bribery; Article 31, Misconduct in Public Office; Article 35, Offenses Against the Public Peace; Article 36A, Riots, Civil Disorders, and Emergencies; Article 39, Protection of Minors; and Article 60, Computer-Related Crime. Such crimes also include possession or sale of drugs in violation of the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, Article 5 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, and alcohol-related offenses such as sale to underage persons in violation of G.S. 18B-302 or driving while impaired in violation of G.S. 20-138.1 through G.S. 20-138.5. In addition to the North Carolina crimes listed in this subdivision, such crimes also include similar crimes under federal law or under the laws of other states.
(2) "Residential school personnel" means any:
a. Employee of a residential school whether full time or part time, or
b. Independent contractor or employee of an independent contractor of a residential school, if the independent contractor carries out duties customarily performed by residential school personnel,
whether paid with federal, State, local, or other funds, who has significant access to students in a residential school. Residential school personnel includes substitute teachers, driver training teachers, bus drivers, clerical staff, houseparents, and custodians.
(b) The Secretary shall require an applicant for a residential school personnel position to be checked for a criminal history before the applicant is offered an unconditional job. A residential school may employ an applicant conditionally while the Secretary is checking the person's criminal history and making a decision based on the results of the check.
The Secretary shall not require an applicant to pay for the criminal history check authorized under this subsection.
(c) The Department of Justice shall provide to the Secretary the criminal history from the State and National Repositories of Criminal Histories of any applicant for a residential school personnel position in a residential school. The Secretary shall require the person to be checked by the Department of Justice to (i) be fingerprinted and to provide any additional information required by the Department of Justice to a person designated by the Secretary, or to the local sheriff or the municipal police, whichever is more convenient for the person, and (ii) sign a form consenting to the check of the criminal record and to the use of fingerprints and other identifying information required by the repositories. The Secretary shall consider refusal to consent when making employment decisions and decisions with regard to independent contractors.
The Secretary shall not require an applicant to pay for being fingerprinted.
(d) The Secretary shall review the criminal history it receives on a person. The Secretary shall determine whether the results of the review indicate that the employee (i) poses a threat to the physical safety of students or personnel, or (ii) has demonstrated that he or she does not have the integrity or honesty to fulfill his or her duties as residential school personnel and shall use the information when making employment decisions and decisions with regard to independent contractors. The Secretary shall make written findings with regard to how it used the information when making employment decisions and decisions with regard to independent contractors.
(e) The Secretary shall provide to the State Board of Education the criminal history received on a person who is certificated, certified, or licensed by the State Board. The State Board shall review the criminal history and determine whether the person's certificate or license should be revoked in accordance with State laws and rules regarding revocation.
(f) All the information received by the Secretary through the checking of the criminal history or by the State Board in accordance with subsection (d) of this section is privileged information and is not a public record but is for the exclusive use of the Secretary or the State Board of Education. The Secretary or the State Board of Education may destroy the information after it is used for the purposes authorized by this section after one calendar year.
(g) There shall be no liability for negligence on the part of the Secretary, the Department of Health and Human Services or its employees, a residential school or its employees, or the State Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction, or their members or employees, individually or collectively, arising from any act taken or omission by any of them in carrying out the provisions of this section. The immunity established by this subsection shall not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise be actionable. The immunity established by this subsection shall be deemed to have been waived to the extent of indemnification by insurance, indemnification under Articles 31A and 31B of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, and to the extent sovereign immunity is waived under the Tort Claims Act, as set forth in Article 31 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. (1998-131, s. 5; 2012-12, s. 2(xx); 2015-181, s. 47; 2016-126, 4th Ex. Sess., s. 27.)
§§ 143B-146.17 through 143B-146.20. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-146.21. Policies, reports, and other miscellaneous provisions.
(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with the State Board of Education in its implementation of this act as it pertains to improving the educational programs at the residential schools. The Secretary also shall fully inform and consult with the chairs of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Education and Health and Human Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on a regular basis as the Secretary carries out his duties under this act.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-247, s. 8, effective July 3, 2013.
(c) The Department of Public Instruction, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and the State Board of Community Colleges shall offer and communicate the availability of professional development opportunities to the personnel assigned to the residential schools.
(d) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall adopt policies to ensure that students of the residential schools are given priority to residing in the independent living facilities on each school's campus.
(e) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Office of State Human Resources, shall set the salary supplement paid to teachers, instructional support personnel, and school-based administrators who are employed in the programs operated by the Department of Health and Human Services and are licensed by the State Board of Education. The salary supplement shall be at least five percent (5%), but not more than the percentage supplement they would receive if they were employed in the local school administrative unit where the job site is located. These salary supplements shall not be paid to central office staff. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to include "merit pay" under the term "salary supplement". (1998-131, ss. 3, 10, 17; 2001-424, s. 21.81(a); 2005-276, s. 29.19(a); 2013-247, s. 8; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
§ 143B-146.22: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 21.80(a).
§§ 143B-146.23 through 143B-146.27. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-147. Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services - creation, powers and duties.
(a) There is hereby created the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services of the Department of Health and Human Services with the power and duty to adopt, amend and repeal rules to be followed in the conduct of State and local mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse programs including education, prevention, intervention, screening, assessment, referral, detoxification, treatment, rehabilitation, continuing care, emergency services, case management, and other related services. Such rules shall be designed to promote the amelioration or elimination of the mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse problems of the citizens of this State. Rules establishing standards for certification of child care centers providing Developmental Day programs are excluded from this section and shall be adopted by the Child Care Commission under G.S. 110-88. The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall have the authority:
(1) To adopt rules regarding the
a. Admission, including the designation of regions, treatment, and professional care of individuals admitted to a facility operated under the authority of G.S. 122C-181(a), that is now or may be established;
b. Operation of education, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and other related services as provided by area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse authorities, county programs, and all providers of public services under Part 4 of Article 4 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes;
c. Hearings and appeals of area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse authorities as provided for in Part 4 of Article 4 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes; and
d and e. Repealed by Session Laws 2001-437, s. 1.21(a), effective July 1, 2002.
f. Standards of public services for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
(2) To adopt rules for the licensing of facilities for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and substance abusers, under Article 2 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes. These rules shall include all of the following:
a. Standards for the use of electronic supervision devices during client sleep hours for facilities licensed under 10A NCAC 27G. 1700 or any related or subsequent regulations setting licensing standards for such facilities.
b. Personnel requirements for facilities licensed under 10A NCAC 27G. 1700, or any related or subsequent regulations setting licensing standards for such facilities, when continuous electronic supervision that meets the standards established under sub-subdivision a. of this of this subdivision is present.
(3) To advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the need for, provision and coordination of education, prevention, intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and other related services in the areas of:
a. Mental illness and mental health,
b. Developmental disabilities,
c. Substance abuse.
d. Repealed by Session Laws 2001-437, s. 1.21(a), effective July 1, 2002.
(4) To review and advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services regarding all State plans required by federal or State law and to recommend to the Secretary any changes it thinks necessary in those plans; provided, however, for the purposes of meeting State plan requirements under federal or State law, the Department of Health and Human Services is designated as the single State agency responsible for administration of plans involving mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
(5) To adopt rules relating to the registration and control of the manufacture, distribution, security, and dispensing of controlled substances as provided by G.S. 90-100.
(6) To adopt rules to establish the professional requirements for staff of licensed facilities for the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and substance abusers. Such rules may require that one or more, but not all staff of a facility be either licensed or certified. If a facility has only one professional staff, such rules may require that that individual be licensed or certified. Such rules may include the recognition of professional certification boards for those professions not licensed or certified under other provisions of the General Statutes provided that the professional certification board evaluates applicants on a basis which protects the public health, safety or welfare.
(7) Except where rule making authority is assigned under that Article to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, to adopt rules to implement Article 3 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes.
(8) To adopt rules specifying procedures for waiver of rules adopted by the Commission.
(9) To adopt rules establishing a process for non-Medicaid eligible clients to appeal to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services of the Department of Health and Human Services decisions made by an area authority or county program affecting the client. The purpose of the appeal process is to ensure that mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services are delivered within available resources, to provide an additional level of review independent of the area authority or county program to ensure appropriate application of and compliance with applicable statutes and rules, and to provide additional opportunities for the area authority or county program to resolve the underlying complaint. Upon receipt of a written request by the non-Medicaid eligible client, the Division shall review the decision of the area authority or county program and shall advise the requesting client and the area authority or county program as to the Division's findings and the bases therefor. Notwithstanding Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Division's findings are not a final agency decision for purposes of that Chapter. Upon receipt of the Division's findings, the area authority or county program shall issue a final decision based on those findings. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to create an entitlement to mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
(10) The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall develop and adopt rules by December 1, 2013, to require forensic evaluators appointed pursuant to G.S. 15A-1002(b) to meet the following requirements:
a. Complete all training requirements necessary to be credentialed as a certified forensic evaluator.
b. Attend annual continuing education seminars that provide continuing education and training in conducting forensic evaluations and screening examinations of defendants to determine capacity to proceed and in preparing written reports required by law.
(b) All rules hereby adopted shall be consistent with the laws of this State and not inconsistent with the management responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services provided by this Chapter and the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
(c) All rules and regulations pertaining to the delivery of services and licensing of facilities heretofore adopted by the Commission for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, controlled substances rules and regulations adopted by the North Carolina Drug Commission, and all rules and regulations adopted by the Commission for Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services shall remain in full force and effect unless and until repealed or superseded by action of the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
(d) All rules adopted by the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall be enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services.
(e) The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall by December 1, 2013, adopt guidelines for treatment of individuals who are involuntarily committed following a determination of incapacity to proceed and a referral pursuant to G.S. 15A-1003. The guidelines shall require a treatment plan that uses best practices in an effort to restore the individual's capacity to proceed in the criminal matter. (1973, ch. 476, s. 129; 1977, c. 568, ss. 2, 3; c. 679, s. 1; 1981, c. 51, s. 1; 1983, c. 718, s. 5; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1110, s. 6; 1985, c. 589, ss. 47-54; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 863, s. 33; 1989, c. 625, s. 23; 1991, c. 309, s. 1; 1993, c. 396, s. 6; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2001-437, s. 1.21(a); 2005-276, s. 10.35(a); 2009-187, s. 1; 2009-490, s. 6; 2013-18, ss. 9, 10; 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-148. Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
(a) The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 32 members, as follows:
(1) Eight shall be appointed by the General Assembly, four upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and four upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121. In recommending appointments under this section, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall give consideration to ensuring a balance of appointments that represent those who may have knowledge and expertise in adult issues and those who may have knowledge and expertise in children's issues. Of the four appointments recommended by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one shall be an attorney licensed in this State with preference given to an attorney with experience in the practice of administrative law, one shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina, with preference given to a psychiatrist, and two shall be members of the public. Of the four appointments recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one shall be an attorney licensed in this State with preference given to an attorney with experience in the practice of mental health law, one shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina who has expertise and experience in the field of developmental disabilities, or a professional holding a Ph.D. with experience in the field of developmental disabilities, and two shall be members of the public. Vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122.
(2) Twenty-four shall be appointed by the Governor, one from each congressional district in the State in accordance with G.S. 147-12(3)b, and the remainder at-large members.
The Governor's appointees shall represent the following categories of appointment:
a. Three professionals licensed or certified under Chapter 90 or Chapter 90B of the General Statutes who are practicing, teaching, or conducting research in the field of mental health.
b. Four consumers or immediate family members of consumers of mental health services. Of these four, at least one shall be a consumer and at least one shall be an immediate family member of a consumer. No more than two of the consumers or immediate family members shall be selected from nominations submitted by the Coalition 2001 or its successor organization.
c. Two professionals licensed or certified under Chapter 90 or Chapter 90B of the General Statutes who are practicing, teaching, or conducting research in the field of developmental disabilities, and one individual who is a "qualified professional" as that term is defined in G.S. 122C-3(31) who has experience in the field of developmental disabilities.
d. Four consumers or immediate family members of consumers of developmental disabilities services. Of these four, at least one shall be a consumer and at least one shall be an immediate family member of a consumer. No more than two of the consumers or immediate family members shall be selected from nominations submitted by the Coalition 2001 or its successor organization.
e. Two professionals licensed or certified under Chapter 90 of the General Statutes who are practicing, teaching, or conducting research in the field of substance abuse, and one professional who is a certified prevention specialist or who specializes in the area of addiction education.
f. An individual knowledgeable and experienced in the field of controlled substances regulation and enforcement. The controlled substances appointee shall be selected from recommendations made by the Attorney General of North Carolina.
g. A physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina who has expertise and experience in the field of substance abuse with preference given to a physician that is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
h. Four consumers or immediate family members of consumers of substance abuse services. Of these four, at least one shall be a consumer and at least one shall be an immediate family member of a consumer. No more than two of the consumers or immediate family members shall be selected from nominations submitted by the Coalition 2001 or its successor organization.
i. An attorney licensed in this State. The appointments of professionals licensed or certified under Chapter 90 or Chapter 90B of the General Statutes made in accordance with this subdivision, and physicians appointed in accordance with subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be selected from nominations submitted to the appointing authority by the respective professional associations.
(2a) The terms of all Commission members shall be three years. All Commission members shall serve their designated terms and until their successors are duly appointed and qualified. All Commission members may succeed themselves. A member appointed on and after July 1, 2002, shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.
(3) All appointments shall be made pursuant to current federal rules and regulations, when not inconsistent with State law, which prescribe the selection process and demographic characteristics as a necessary condition to the receipt of federal aid.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of G.S. 143B-13 through 143B-20 relating to appointment, qualifications, terms and removal of members shall apply to all members of the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
(c) Commission members shall receive per diem, travel and subsistence allowances in accordance with G.S. 138-5 and G.S. 138-6, as appropriate.
(d) A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(e) All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To ensure effective and efficient coordination of rules and policies adopted by the Commission and the Secretary, the Secretary shall assign an individual who is knowledgeable about and experienced in the rule-making processes of the Commission and the Secretary and in the fields of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. (1973, c. 476, s. 130; 1977, c. 679, s. 2; 1981, c. 51, s. 1; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1191, ss. 55.1 through 57; 1989, c. 625, s. 23; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1038, s. 17; 1995, c. 490, s. 34; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2001-437, s. 1.21(b); 2001-486, s. 2.13; 2001-487, s. 90.5; 2002-61, s. 1; 2007-504, s. 2.5(a).)
§ 143B-149. Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services - officers.
The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall have a chairman and a vice-chairman. The chairman shall be designated by the Governor from among the members and shall serve as chairman at his pleasure. The vice-chairman shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of his regularly appointed term. (1973, c. 476, s. 131; 1977, c. 679, s. 3; 1981, c. 51, s. 1; 1989, c. 625, s. 23.)
§ 143B-150. Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services - regular and special meetings.
The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall meet at least once in each quarter and may hold special meetings at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon the written request of at least eight members. (1973, c. 476, s. 132; 1977, c. 679, s. 4; 1981, c. 51, s. 1; 1989, c. 625, s. 23.)
§ 143B-150.1. Use of funds for North Carolina Child Treatment Program.
(a) State funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, for the North Carolina Child Treatment Program shall be used exclusively for the following purposes:
(1) To continue to provide clinical training and coaching to licensed clinicians on an array of evidence-based treatments and to provide a statewide platform to assure accountability and measurable outcomes.
(2) To maintain and manage a public roster of program graduates, linking high-quality clinicians with children, families, and professionals.
(3) To partner with leadership within the State, local management entities/managed care organizations as defined in G.S. 122C-3, and the private sector to bring effective mental health treatment to children in juvenile justice and mental health facilities.
(b) All data, including any entered or stored in the State-funded secure database developed for the North Carolina Child Treatment Program to track individual-level and aggregate-level data with interface capability to work with existing networks within State agencies, is and remains the sole property of the State. (2017-57, s. 11F.1(b); 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-150.5. Family Preservation Services Program established; purpose.
(a) There is established the Family Preservation Services Program of the Department of Health and Human Services. To the extent that funds are made available, locally-based family preservation services shall be available to all 100 counties. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be responsible for the development and implementation of the Family Preservation Services Program as established in this Part.
(b) The purpose of the Family Preservation Services Program is, where feasible and in the best interests of the child and the family, to keep the family unit intact by providing intensive family-centered services that help create, within the family, positive, long-term changes in the home environment.
(c) Family preservation services shall be financed in part through grants to local agencies for the development and implementation of locally-based family preservation services. Grants to local agencies shall be made in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-150.6.
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall ensure the cooperation of the Division of Social Services, the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, and the Division of Health Benefits, in carrying out the provisions of this Part. (1991, c. 743, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2000-137, s. 4(z); 2001-424, s. 21.50(f); 2019-81, s. 15(a); 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-150.6. Program services; eligibility; grants for local projects; fund transfers.
(a) Services: - Services to be provided under the Family Preservation Services Program shall include but are not limited to: family assessment, intensive family and individual counseling, client advocacy, case management, development and enhancement of parenting skills, and referral for other services as appropriate.
(b) Eligibility: - Families eligible for services under the Family Preservation Services Program are those with children ages 0-17 years who are at risk of imminent separation through placement in public welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems.
(c) Service Delivery: - Services delivered to eligible families under the Family Preservation Services Program shall be provided in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) Each eligible family shall receive intensive family preservation services, beginning with identification of an imminent risk of out-of-home placement for an average of four weeks but not more than six weeks;
(2) At least one-half of a caseworker's time spent providing family preservation services to each eligible family shall be provided in the family's home and community;
(3) Family preservation caseworkers shall be available to each eligible family by telephone and on call for visits 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(4) Each family preservation caseworker shall provide services to a maximum of four families at any given time.
(d) Grants for local projects: - The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall award grants to local agencies for the development and implementation of locally-based family preservation services projects. The number of grants awarded and the level of funding of each grant for each fiscal year shall be contingent upon and determined by funds appropriated for that purpose by the General Assembly.
(e) Inter-agency fund transfers: - The Department may allow the Division of Social Services and the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, to use funds available to each Division to support family preservation services provided by the Division under the Program; provided that such use does not violate federal regulations pertaining to, or otherwise jeopardize the availability of federal funds. (1991, c. 743, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1999-423, s. 9; 2001-424, s. 21.50(g); 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§§ 143B-150.7 through 143B-150.9: Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, ss. 21.50(h) to (j).
§§ 143B-150.10 through 143B-150.19. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-150.20. (Repealed effective January 1, 2025) State Child Fatality Review Team; establishment; purpose; powers; duties; report by Division of Social Services.
(a) There is established in the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, a State Child Fatality Review Team to conduct in-depth reviews of any child fatalities which have occurred involving children and families involved with local departments of social services child protective services in the 12 months preceding the fatality. Steps in this in-depth review shall include interviews with any individuals determined to have pertinent information as well as examination of any written materials containing pertinent information.
(b) The purpose of these reviews shall be to implement a team approach to identifying factors which may have contributed to conditions leading to the fatality and to develop recommendations for improving coordination between local and State entities which might have avoided the threat of injury or fatality and to identify appropriate remedies. The Division of Social Services shall make public the findings and recommendations developed for each fatality reviewed relating to improving coordination between local and State entities. These findings shall not be admissible as evidence in any civil or administrative proceedings against individuals or entities that participate in child fatality reviews conducted pursuant to this section. The State Child Fatality Review Team shall consult with the appropriate district attorney in accordance with G.S. 7B-2902(d) prior to the public release of the findings and recommendations.
(c) The State Child Fatality Review Team shall include representatives of the local departments of social services and the Division of Social Services, a member of the local Community Child Protection Team, a member of the local child fatality prevention team, a representative from local law enforcement, a prevention specialist, and a medical professional.
(d) The State Child Fatality Review Team shall have access to all medical records, hospital records, and records maintained by this State, any county, or any local agency as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including police investigative data, medical examiner investigative data, health records, mental health records, and social services records. The State Child Fatality Review Team may receive a copy of any reviewed materials necessary to the conduct of the fatality review. Any member of the State Child Fatality Review Team may share, only in an official meeting of the State Child Fatality Review Team, any information available to that member that the State Child Fatality Review Team needs to carry out its duties.
If the State Child Fatality Review Team does not receive information requested under this subsection within 30 days after making the request, the State Child Fatality Review Team may apply for an order compelling disclosure. The application shall state the factors supporting the need for an order compelling disclosure. The State Child Fatality Review Team shall file the application in the district court of the county where the investigation is being conducted, and the court shall have jurisdiction to issue any orders compelling disclosure. Actions brought under this section shall be scheduled for immediate hearing, and subsequent proceedings in these actions shall be given priority by the appellate courts.
(e) Meetings of the State Child Fatality Review Team are not subject to the provisions of Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. However, the State Child Fatality Review Team may hold periodic public meetings to discuss, in a general manner not revealing confidential information about children and families, the findings of their reviews and their recommendations for preventive actions. Minutes of all public meetings, excluding those of closed sessions, shall be kept in compliance with Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. Any minutes or any other information generated during any executive session shall be sealed from public inspection.
(f) All otherwise confidential information and records acquired by the State Child Fatality Review Team, in the exercise of its duties are confidential; are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any proceedings except pursuant to an order of the court; and may only be disclosed as necessary to carry out the purposes of the State Child Fatality Review Team. In addition, all otherwise confidential information and records created by the State Child Fatality Review Team in the exercise of its duties are confidential; are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any proceedings; and may only be disclosed as necessary to carry out the purposes of the State Child Fatality Review Team. No member of the State Child Fatality Review Team, nor any person who attends a meeting of the State Child Fatality Review Team, may testify in any proceeding about what transpired at the meeting, about information presented at the meeting, or about opinions formed by the person as a result of the meetings. This subsection shall not, however, prohibit a person from testifying in a civil or criminal action about matters within that person's independent knowledge.
(g) Each member of the State Child Fatality Review Team and invited participant shall sign a statement indicating an understanding of and adherence to confidentiality requirements, including the possible civil or criminal consequences of any breach of confidentiality.
(h) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12A.8(f), effective July 1, 2013. (1998-202, s. 13(oo); 1998-212, s. 12.22(e); 1999-190, s. 4; 2000-67, s. 11.14(a); 2003-304, s. 6; 2013-360, s. 12A.8(f).)
§ 143B-150.20. Repealed by Session Laws 2023 134, s. 9H.15(h), effective January 1, 2025.
§ 143B-150.25. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1) Child Fatality Prevention System. - The statewide system comprised of the following:
a. Local Teams.
b. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force created in G.S. 7B-1402.
c. The State Office.
d. Medical examiner child fatality staff.
(2) Local Team. - A multidisciplinary child death review team that is either a single or multicounty team responsible for performing any type of child fatality review pursuant to Article 14 of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes.
(3) Medical examiner child fatality staff. - Staff within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner whose primary responsibilities involve reviewing, investigating, training, educating, and supporting death investigations into child fatalities that fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner pursuant to G.S. 130A-383.
(4) State Office. - The State Office of Child Fatality Prevention established under this Article. (2023-134, s. 9H.15(a).)
§ 143B-150.26. Establishment and purpose of State Office.
The State Office of Child Fatality Prevention is established within the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, to serve as the lead agency for child fatality prevention in North Carolina. The purpose of the State Office is to oversee the coordination of State-level support functions for the entire North Carolina Child Fatality Prevention System in a way that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness and expands system capacity. The Department shall determine the most appropriate placement for, and configuration of, State Office staff within the Department, subject to the following limitation: medical examiner child fatality staff shall continue to work under the direction of the Chief Medical Examiner and address child fatalities within the jurisdiction of the medical examiner pursuant to G.S. 130A-383, while working collaboratively with the State Office and Local Teams. (2023-134, s. 9H.15(a).)
§ 143B-150.27. Powers and duties.
The State Office has the following powers and duties:
(1) To coordinate the work of the statewide Child Fatality Prevention System.
(2) To implement and manage a centralized data and information system capable of gathering, analyzing, and reporting aggregate information from child death review teams with appropriate protocols for sharing information and protecting confidentiality.
(3) To create and implement tools, guidelines, resources, and training and provide technical assistance for Local Teams to enable the teams to do the following:
a. Conduct effective reviews tailored to the type of death being reviewed.
b. Make effective recommendations about child fatality prevention.
c. Gather, analyze, and appropriately report on case data and findings while protecting confidentiality.
d. Facilitate the implementation of prevention strategies in their communities.
(4) To work with medical examiner child fatality staff and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics to provide Local Teams initial information about child deaths in their respective counties.
(5) To perform research, consult with stakeholders and experts, and collaborate with other organizations and individuals for the purpose of understanding the direct and contributing causes of child deaths as well as evidence-driven strategies, programs, and policies to prevent child deaths, abuse, and neglect in order to inform the work of the Child Fatality Prevention System or as requested by the Child Fatality Task Force.
(6) To educate State and local leaders, including the General Assembly, executive department heads, as well as stakeholders, advocates, and the public, about the Child Fatality Prevention System and issues and prevention strategies addressed by the system.
(7) To collaborate with State and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, academia, advocacy organizations, and others to facilitate the implementation of evidence-driven initiatives to prevent child abuse, neglect, and death, such as education and awareness initiatives.
(8) To create and implement processes for evaluating the ability of the Child Fatality Prevention System to achieve outcomes sought to be accomplished by the system and to report to the Child Fatality Task Force on these evaluations and on statewide functioning of the Child Fatality Prevention System.
(9) To consider opportunities to seek and administer grant and other non-State funding sources to support State or local Child Fatality Prevention System efforts.
(10) To develop guidance to inform local decisions about the formation and implementation of single versus multicounty Local Teams. The guidance must include a model agreement to be used between or among counties that agree to be part of a multicounty Local Team. (2023-134, s. 9H.15(a).)
§§ 143B-151 through 143B-152: Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 497.
§ 143B-152.1: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.2: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.3: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.4: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.5: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.6: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.7: Repealed by Session Laws 2009-451, s. 18.6, as amended by Session Laws 2010-123, s. 6.2, effective July 1, 2009.
§ 143B-152.8. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-152.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-152.10. Family Resource Center Grant Program; creation; purpose; intent.
(a) There is created in the Department of Health and Human Services the Family Resource Center Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to provide grants to implement family support programs that are research-based and have been evaluated for effectiveness that provide services to children from birth through 17 years of age and to their families that:
(1) Enhance the children's development and ability to attain academic and social success;
(1a) Prevent child abuse and neglect by implementing program models that have been evaluated and found to improve outcomes for children and families;
(2) Ensure a successful transition from early childhood education programs and child care to the public schools;
(3) Assist families in achieving economic independence and self-sufficiency; and
(4) Mobilize public and private community resources to help children and families in need.
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to encourage and support broad-based collaboration among public and private agencies and among people who reflect the racial and socioeconomic diversity in communities to develop initiatives that (i) improve outcomes for children by preventing child abuse and neglect, (ii) enhance and strengthen the ability of families to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of their children, (iii) enhance the ability of families to become advocates for and supporters of the children in their families, and (iv) enhance the ability of families to function as nurturing and effective family units.
(c) It is further the intent of the General Assembly that this program shall be targeted to those neighborhoods that have disproportionately high levels of (i) children who would be less likely to attain educational or social success, (ii) families with low incomes, and (iii) crime and juvenile delinquency. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2007-130, s. 1.)
§ 143B-152.11. Administration of program.
The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop and implement the Family Resource Center Grant Program. The Department shall:
(1) Sponsor a statewide conference for teams of interested representatives to provide background information and assistance regarding all aspects of the program;
(2) Disseminate information regarding the program to interested local community groups;
(3) Provide initial technical assistance and ongoing technical assistance to grant recipients;
(4) Administer funds appropriated by the General Assembly;
(5) Monitor the grants funded and the ongoing operations of family resource centers;
(6) Revoke a grant if necessary or appropriate;
(7) Report to the General Assembly and the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, in accordance with G.S. 143B-152.15; and
(8) Adopt rules to implement this Part. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-152.12. Eligible applicants: applications for grants.
(a) A community-or neighborhood-based 501(c)(3) entity or a consortium consisting of one or more local 501(c)(3) entities and one or more local school administrative units may apply for a grant.
(b) Applicants for grants shall identify the neighborhood or neighborhoods whose children and families will be served by a family resource center. The decision-making process for identifying and establishing family resource centers shall reflect the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the neighborhood or neighborhoods to be served.
(c) A grant application shall include a process for assessing on an annual basis the success of the local plan in addressing problems. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a).)
§ 143B-152.13. Grants review and selection.
(a) The Department shall develop and disseminate a request for applications and establish procedures to be followed in developing and submitting applications to establish local family resource centers and administering grants to establish local family resource centers.
(b) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint a State task force to assist the Secretary in reviewing grant applications. The State task force shall include representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Instruction, local school administrative units, educators, parents, the juvenile justice system, social services, and governmental agencies providing services to children, and other members the Secretary considers appropriate. In appointing the State task force, the Secretary shall consult with the Superintendent of Public Instruction in an effort to coordinate the membership of this State task force, the State task force appointed by the Secretary pursuant to G.S. 143B-152.5, and the State task force appointed by the Superintendent pursuant to G.S. 115C-238.42.
In reviewing grant applications, the Secretary and the State task force may consider (i) the severity of the local problems as determined by the needs assessment data, (ii) the likelihood that the locally designed plan will result in high quality services for children and their families, (iii) evidence of local collaboration and coordination of services, (iv) any innovative or experimental aspects of the plan that will make it a useful model for replication in other counties, (v) the availability of other resources or funds, (vi) the incidence of crime and juvenile delinquency, (vii) the amount needed to implement the proposal, and (viii) any other factors consistent with the intent of this Part.
(c) In determining the amount of funds an applicant receives, the Secretary and the State task force may consider (i) the number of children to be served, (ii) the number and percentage of children to be served who participate in the subsidized lunch program, (iii) the number and percentage of school-aged children to be served with two working parents or one single parent, (iv) the availability of other resources or funds, and (v) the amount needed to implement the proposal.
(d) The Secretary shall award the grants. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-152.14. Cooperation of State and local agencies.
All agencies of the State and local government, including the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety, departments of social services, health departments, local mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse authorities, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, The University of North Carolina, the community college system, and cities and counties, shall cooperate with the Department of Health and Human Services, and local nonprofit corporations that receive grants in coordinating the program at the State level and in implementing the program at the local level. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, after consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall develop a plan for ensuring the cooperation of State agencies and local agencies and encouraging the cooperation of private entities, especially those receiving State funds, in the coordination and implementation of the program. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998-202, s. 4(y); 2000-137, s. 4(cc); 2011-145, s. 19.1(l); 2017-186, s. 2(gggggg); 2018-47, s. 6(c); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(z).)
§ 143B-152.15. Program evaluation; reporting requirements.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop and implement an evaluation system that will assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Family Resource Center Grant Program. The department shall design this system to:
(1) Provide information to the Department and to the General Assembly on how to improve and refine the programs;
(2) Enable the Department and the General Assembly to assess the overall quality, efficiency, and impact of the existing programs;
(3) Enable the Department and the General Assembly to determine whether to modify the Family Resource Center Grant Program; and
(4) Provide a detailed fiscal analysis of how State funds for these programs were used.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12A.8(b), effective July 1, 2013.
(c) A local 501(c)(3) entity or consortium that receives a grant under this Part shall report by August 1 of each year to the Department on the implementation of the program. This report shall demonstrate the extent to which the local family resource center has met the local needs, goals, and anticipated outcomes as set forth in the grant application. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 31(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2001-424, s. 21.48(f); 2013-360, s. 12A.8(b).)
§ 143B-153. Social Services Commission - creation, powers and duties.
There is hereby created the Social Services Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services with the power and duty to adopt rules and regulations to be followed in the conduct of the State's social service programs with the power and duty to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations under and not inconsistent with the laws of the State necessary to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Article. Provided, however, the Department of Health and Human Services shall have the power and duty to adopt rules and regulations to be followed in the conduct of the State's medical assistance program. [The Commission has the following powers and duties:]
(1) The Social Services Commission is authorized and empowered to adopt such rules and regulations that may be necessary and desirable for the programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services as provided in Chapter 108A of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina.
(2) The Social Services Commission shall have the power and duty to establish standards and adopt rules and regulations:
a. For the programs of public assistance established by federal legislation and by Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina with the exception of the program of medical assistance established by G.S. 108A-25(b);
b. To achieve maximum cooperation with other agencies of the State and with agencies of other states and of the federal government in rendering services to strengthen and maintain family life and to help recipients of public assistance obtain self-support and self-care;
c. For the placement and supervision of dependent juveniles and of delinquent juveniles who are placed in the custody of the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety, and payment of necessary costs of foster home care for needy and homeless children as provided by G.S. 108A-48;
d. For the payment of State funds to private child-placing agencies as defined in G.S. 131D-10.2(4) and residential child care facilities as defined in G.S. 131D-10.2(13) for care and services provided to children who are in the custody or placement responsibility of a county department of social services. The Commission shall establish standardized rates for child caring institutions. In establishing standardized rates, the Commission shall consider the rate-setting recommendations provided by the Office of the State Auditor; and
e. For client assessment and independent case management pertaining to the functions of county departments of social services for public assistance programs authorized under paragraph a. of this subdivision.
(2a) The Social Services Commission shall have the power and duty to establish standards and adopt rules and regulations:
a. For social services programs established by federal legislation and by Article 3 of G.S. Chapter 108A.
b. For implementation of Title XX of the Social Security Act, except for Title XX services provided solely through the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, by promulgating rules and regulations in the following areas:
1. Eligibility for all services established under a Comprehensive Annual Services Plan, as required by federal law.
2. Standards to implement all services established under the Comprehensive Annual Services Plan.
3. Maximum rates of payment for the provision of social services, except there shall be no maximum statewide reimbursement rate for adult day care services, adult day health services, and the associated transportation services, as these reimbursement rates shall be determined by the county department of social services or a designee of the board of county commissioners to allow flexibility in responding to local variables.
4. Fees for services to be paid by recipients of social services.
5. Designation of certain mandated services, from among the services established by the Secretary in accordance with sub-subdivision c. of this subdivision which shall be provided in each county of the State.
6. Title XX services for the blind, after consultation with the Commission for the Blind.
c. Provided, that the Secretary is authorized to promulgate all other rules in at least the following areas:
1. Establishment, identification, and definition of all services offered under the Comprehensive Annual Services Plan.
2. Policies governing the allocation, budgeting, and expenditures of funds administered by the Department.
3. Contracting for and purchasing services
4. Monitoring for effectiveness and compliance with State and federal law and regulations.
(3) The Social Services Commission shall have the power and duty to establish and adopt standards:
a. For the inspection and licensing of maternity homes as provided by G.S. 131D-1;
b. Repealed by Session Laws 1999-334, s. 3.5, effective October 1, 1999.
c. For the inspection and licensing of child-care institutions as provided by G.S. 131D-10.5;
d. For the inspection and operation of jails or local confinement facilities as provided by G.S. 153A-220 and Article 2 of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina;
e. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 562, s. 7.
f. For the regulation and licensing of charitable organizations, professional fund-raising counsel and professional solicitors as provided by Chapter 131D of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina.
(4) The Social Services Commission shall have the power and duty to authorize investigations of social problems, with authority to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the production of necessary documents.
(5) The Social Services Commission shall have the power and duty to ratify reciprocal agreements with agencies in other states that are responsible for the administration of public assistance and child welfare programs to provide assistance and service to the residents and nonresidents of the State.
(6) The Commission is authorized and empowered to adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as may be required by the federal government of grants-in-aid for social services purposes which may be made available for the State by the federal government. This section is to be liberally construed in order that the State and its citizens may benefit from such grants-in-aid.
(7) The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter heretofore adopted by the Board of Social Services shall remain in full force and effect unless and until repealed or superseded by action of the Social Services Commission. All rules and regulations adopted by the Commission shall be enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services.
(8) The Commission may establish by regulation, except for Title XX services provided solely through the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, rates or fees for:
a. A fee schedule for the payment of the costs of necessary child care in licensed facilities and registered plans for minor children of needy families.
b. A fee schedule for the payment by recipients for services which are established in accordance with Title XX of the Social Security Act and implementing regulations; and
c. The payment of an administrative fee not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) to be paid by public or nonprofit agencies which employ students under the Plan Assuring College Education (PACE) program.
d. Child support enforcement services as defined by G.S. 110-130.1.
(9) The Commission shall adopt rules governing the obligations of counties to contribute financially to regional social services departments in accordance with G.S. 108A-15.3A(e). (1973, c. 476, s. 134; 1975, c. 747, s. 2; 1977, c. 674, s. 7; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1219, ss. 26, 27; 1981, c. 275, s. 5; c. 562, s. 7; c. 961, ss. 1-3; 1983, c. 278, ss. 1, 2; c. 527, s. 2; 1985, c. 206; c. 479, s. 96; c. 689, s. 29f; 1991, c. 462, s. 1; c. 636, s. 19(d); c. 689, s. 105; c. 761, s. 28; 1993, c. 553, s. 46; 1995, c. 449, s. 4; c. 535, s. 32; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1997-456, s. 22; 1997-506, s. 55; 1998-202, s. 4(z); 1999-334, s. 3.5; 2000-111, s. 4; 2000-137, s. 4(dd); 2000-140, s. 99(a); 2006-66, s. 10.2(c); 2011-145, s. 19.1(l); 2017-41, s. 4.5; 2017-102, s. 40(e); 2017-186, s. 2(hhhhhh); 2021-180, ss. 9A.3B(b), 19C.9(z); 2023-65, ss. 5.2(b), 7.5.)
§ 143B-153.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 883, s. 2, effective July 20, 1983.
§ 143B-154. Social Services Commission - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
The Social Services Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of one member from each congressional district in the State, all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor for four-year terms.
The initial members of the Commission shall be the appointed members of the current Social Services Commission who shall serve for the remainder of their current terms and four additional members appointed by the Governor for terms expiring April 1, 1981. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, removal or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
In the event that more than 11 congressional districts are established in the State, the Governor shall on July 1 following the establishment of such additional congressional districts appoint a member of the Commission from that congressional district.
The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-13 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 135; 1977, c. 516; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1191, s. 77; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-155. Social Services Commission - regular and special meetings.
The Social Services Commission shall meet at least once in each quarter and may hold special meetings at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon the written request of at least four members. (1973, c. 476, s. 136.)
§ 143B-156. Social Services Commission - officers.
The Commission for Social Services shall have a chairman and a vice-chairman. The chairman shall be designated by the Governor from among the members of the Commission to serve as chairman at his pleasure. The vice-chairman shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of his regularly appointed term. (1973, c. 476, s. 137.)
§ 143B-157. Commission for the Blind - creation, powers and duties.
There is recreated the Commission for the Blind of the Department of Health and Human Services with the power and duty to adopt rules governing the conduct of the State's rehabilitative programs for the blind that are necessary to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Article.
(1) The Commission shall adopt rules that are necessary and desirable for the programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services as provided in Chapter 111 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 561, s. 89(a).
(3) The Commission shall adopt rules, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, that are required by the federal government for grants-in-aid for rehabilitative purposes for the blind that may be made available to the State from the federal government. This section is to be liberally construed in order that the State and its citizens may benefit from such grants-in-aid.
(3a) The Commission shall review, analyze, and advise the Department regarding the performance of its responsibilities under the federal rehabilitation program in which the State participates, as it relates to the provision of services to the blind, particularly its responsibilities relating to the following:
a. Eligibility for the program;
b. The extent, scope, and effectiveness of the services provided; and
c. The functions performed by the Department that affect, or that have the potential to affect, the ability of individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve rehabilitative goals and objectives under the federal rehabilitation program;
(3b) The Commission shall advise the Department regarding preparation of applications, the State Plan, amendments to this plan, the State needs assessments, and the evaluations required by the federal rehabilitation program; and in partnership with the Department develop, agree to, and review State goals and priorities;
(3c) The Commission shall, to the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis (i) of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with, the functions performed by the Department and other public and private entities responsible for performing functions for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and (ii) of vocational rehabilitation services provided or paid for from funds made available through other public or private sources and provided by State agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired;
(3d) The Commission shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor, the Secretary, and the federal rehabilitation program, and make the report available to the public;
(3e) The Commission shall coordinate with other councils within the State, including the statewide Independent Living Council established under section 705 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 720, et seq., the advisory panel established under section 612(a)(21) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1413(A)(12), the Council on Developmental Disabilities described in section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6024, the State Mental Health Planning Council established pursuant to section 1916(e) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300x-4(e), and the NCWorks Commission;
(3f) The Commission shall advise the Department and provide for coordination with, and establishment of working relationships between, the Department and the Independent Living Council;
(3g) The Commission shall prepare, in conjunction with the Department, a plan for the provision of those resources, including staff and other personnel, that are necessary to carry out the Commission's function under this Part. The resource plan shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of resources in existence during the period of implementation of the plan. The agreed-upon resources shall be provided pursuant to G.S. 143B-14. To the extent that there is a disagreement between the Commission and the Department with regard to the resources necessary to carry out the functions of the Commission required by this Part, the Governor shall resolve the disagreement. The Department or other State agency shall not assign any other duties to the staff and other personnel who are assisting the Commission in carrying out its duties that would create a conflict of interest;
(4) The Commission shall adopt rules consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All rules not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter heretofore adopted by the North Carolina State Commission for the Blind shall remain in full force and effect unless and until repealed or superseded by action of the recreated Commission for the Blind. All rules adopted by the Commission shall be enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 139; 1993, c. 561, s. 89(a); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2000-121, ss. 29, 30; 2015-241, s. 15.11(e).)
§ 143B-158. Commission for the Blind.
(a) The Commission for the Blind of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 19 members as follows:
(1) One representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council.
(2) One representative of a parent training and information center established pursuant to section 631(c) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1431(c).
(3) One representative of the State's Client Assistance Program.
(4) One vocational rehabilitation counselor who has knowledge of and experience in vocational rehabilitation services for the blind. A vocational rehabilitation counselor appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall serve as a nonvoting member of the Commission if the counselor is an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(5) One representative of community rehabilitation program services providers.
(6) One current or former applicant for, or recipient of, vocational rehabilitation services.
(7) One representative of a disability advocacy group representing individuals who are blind.
(8) One parent, family member, guardian, advocate, or authorized representative of an individual who is blind, has multiple disabilities, and either has difficulty representing himself or herself or who is unable, due to disabilities, to represent himself or herself.
(9) One representative of business, industry, and labor.
(10) One representative of the directors of projects carried out under section 121 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 741, as amended, if there are any of these projects in the State.
(11) One representative of the Department of Public Instruction.
(12) One representative of the NCWorks Commission.
(12a) Two licensed physicians nominated by the North Carolina Medical Society whose practice is limited to ophthalmology.
(12b) Two optometrists nominated by the North Carolina State Optometric Society.
(12c) Two opticians nominated by the North Carolina Opticians Association.
(13) The Director of the Division of Services for the Blind shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.
(b) The members of the Commission for the Blind shall be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint members after soliciting recommendations from representatives of organizations representing a broad range of individuals who have disabilities and organizations interested in those individuals. In making appointments to the Commission, the Governor shall consider, to the greatest extent practicable, the extent to which minority populations are represented on the Commission.
(c) Except for individuals appointed to the Commission under subdivisions (12a), (12b), and (12c) of subsection (a) of this section, a majority of Commission members shall be persons who are blind, as defined in G.S. 111-11 and who are not employed by the Division of Services for the Blind.
(d) The Commission for the Blind shall select a Chairperson from among its members.
(e) The term of office of members of the Commission is three years. The term of members appointed under subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), and (12a) of subsection (a) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years evenly divisible by three. The term of members appointed under subdivisions (5), (6), (7), (8), and (12b) of subsection (a) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years that follow by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three. The term of members appointed under subdivisions (9), (10), (11), (12), and (12c) of subsection (a) of this section shall expire on June 30 of years that precede by one year those years that are evenly divisible by three.
(f) No individual may be appointed to more than two consecutive three-year terms. Upon the expiration of a term, a member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed, as provided by G.S. 128-7. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired balance of the term.
(g) A member of the Commission shall not vote on any issue before the Commission that would have a significant and predictable effect on the member's financial interest. The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission from office for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-13 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
(h) The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
(i) A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(j) All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 140; 1977, c. 581; 1993, c. 561, s. 89(b); 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2000-121, s. 31; 2013-360, s. 12A.14(b); 2015-241, s. 15.11(f).)
§ 143B-159. Commission for the Blind - regular and special meetings.
The Commission for the Blind shall meet at least once in each quarter and may hold special meetings at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon the written request of at least five members. (1973, c. 476, s. 141.)
§ 143B-160. Commission for the Blind - officers.
The Commission for the Blind shall have a chairman and a vice-chairman. The chairman shall be designated by the Governor from among the members of the Commission to serve as chairman at his pleasure. The vice-chairman shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of his regularly appointed term. (1973, c. 476, s. 142.)
§§ 143B-161, 143B-162: Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12A.14(a), effective July 1, 2013.
§ 143B-163. Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind - creation, powers and duties.
(a) There is hereby created the Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind of the Department of Health and Human Services. This Committee shall make a continuing study of the entire range of problems and needs of the blind and visually impaired population of this State and make specific recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services as to how these may be solved or alleviated through legislative action. The Committee shall examine national trends and programs of other states, as well as programs and priorities in North Carolina. Because of the cost of treating persons who lose their vision, the Committee's role shall also include studying and making recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning methods of preventing blindness and restoring vision.
(b) The Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind shall advise all State boards, commissions, agencies, divisions, departments, schools, corporations, or other State-administered associations or entities, including the secretary, director and members of said boards, commissions, agencies, divisions, departments, schools, et cetera, on the needs of the citizens of the State of North Carolina who are now or will become visually impaired.
(c) The Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind shall also advise every State board, commission, agency, division, department, school, corporation, or other State-administered associations or entity concerning sight conservation programs that it supervises, administers or controls.
(d) All State boards, commissions, agencies, divisions, departments, schools, corporations, or other State-administered associations or entities including the secretary, director and members of said State boards, agencies, departments, et cetera, which supervise, administer or control any program for or affecting the citizens of the State of North Carolina who are now or will become visually impaired shall inform the Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind of any proposed change in policy, program, budget, rule, or regulation which will affect the citizens of North Carolina who are now or will become visually impaired. Said board, commission, et cetera, shall allow the Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind, prior to passage, unless such change is made pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.1, an opportunity to object to the change and present information and proposals on behalf of the citizens of North Carolina who are now or will become visually impaired. This subsection shall also apply to all sight conservation programs of the State of North Carolina.
(e) Nothing in this statute shall prohibit a board, commission, agency, division, department, et cetera, from implementing any change after allowing the Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind an opportunity to object and propose alternatives. Shifts in budget items within a program or administrative changes in a program required in the day-to-day operation of an agency, department, or school, et cetera, shall be allowed without prior consultation with said Committee. (1977, c. 842, s. 1; c. 1050; 1979, c. 973, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 44; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2000-121, s. 32.)
§ 143B-164. Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
(a) The Consumer and Advocacy Advisory Committee for the Blind of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of the following members:
(1) One member of the North Carolina Senate to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
(2) One member of the North Carolina House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(3) President and Vice-President of the National Federation of the Blind of North Carolina;
(4) President and Vice-President of the North Carolina Council of the Blind;
(5) President and Vice-President of the North Carolina Association of Workers for the Blind;
(6) President and Vice-President of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Association of Workers for the Blind;
(7) Chairman of the State Council of the North Carolina Lions and Executive Director of the North Carolina Lions Association for the Blind, Inc.;
(8) Chairman of the Concession Stand Committee of the Division of Services for the Blind of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(9) Executive Director of the North Carolina Society for the Prevention of Blindness, Inc.
With respect to members appointed from the General Assembly, these appointments shall be made in the odd-numbered years, and the appointments shall be made for two-year terms beginning on the first day of July and continuing through the 30th day of June two years thereafter; provided, such appointments shall be made within two weeks after ratification of this act, and the first members which may be so appointed prior to July 1 of the year of ratification shall serve through the 30th day of June of the second year thereafter. If any Committee member appointed from the General Assembly ceases to be a member of the General Assembly, for whatever reason, his position on the Committee shall be deemed vacant. In the event that either Committee position which is designated herein to be filled by a member of the General Assembly becomes vacant during a term, for whatever reason, a successor to fill that position shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term by the person who made the original appointment or his successor. Provided members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House shall not serve more than two complete consecutive terms.
With respect to the remaining Committee members, each officeholder shall serve on the Committee only so long as he holds the named position in the specified organization. Upon completion of his term, failure to secure reelection or appointment, or resignation, the individual shall be deemed to have resigned from the Committee and his successor in office shall immediately become a member of the Committee. Further, if any of the above-named organizations dissolve or if any of the above-stated positions no longer exist, then the successor organization or position shall be deemed to be substituted in the place of the former one and the officeholder in the new organization or of the new position shall become a member of the Committee.
(b) A chairman shall be elected by a majority vote of the Committee members for a one-year term to coincide with the fiscal year of the State. Provided, the first chairman shall be elected for a term to end June 30, 1978.
Provided, further, if any chairman does not desire or is unable to continue to perform as chairman for any reason, including his becoming ineligible to be a member of the Committee as specified in subsection (a), the remaining members shall elect a chairman to fulfill the remainder of his term.
(c) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(d) The Committee shall meet once a quarter to act upon any information provided them by any board, commission, agency, division, department, school, et cetera. Special meetings may be held at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon written request of at least a majority of the members. Provided, a majority of the members shall be allowed to waive any meeting.
(e) All clerical and other services required by the Committee shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(f) Members of the Committee shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5. (1977, c. 842, s. 1; c. 1050; 1979, c. 973, s. 2; 1991, c. 739, s. 27; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§§ 143B-164.1 through 143B-164.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§§ 143B-164.10 through 143B-164.18: Repealed by Session Laws 2013-247, s. 1(b), effective July 3, 2013.
§ 143B-165. North Carolina Medical Care Commission - creation, powers and duties.
There is hereby created the North Carolina Medical Care Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services with the power and duty to adopt rules to be followed in the construction and maintenance of public and private hospitals, medical centers, and facilities regulated under Chapters 131D and 131E of the General Statutes; to adopt, amend and rescind rules under and not inconsistent with the laws of the State as necessary to carry out the provisions and purposes of this Article; and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the individuals served by these facilities.
(1) The North Carolina Medical Care Commission shall adopt statewide plans for the construction and maintenance of hospitals, medical centers, and facilities regulated under Chapters 131D and 131E of the General Statutes, or such other plans as may be found desirable and necessary to meet the requirements and receive the benefits of any applicable federal legislation.
(2) The Commission may adopt such rules as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of Article 4 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes.
(3) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-65, s. 4.1, effective June 29, 2023.
(4) The Commission has the power and duty to approve projects in the amounts of grants-in-aid from funds supplied by the federal and State governments for the planning and construction of hospitals and other related medical facilities in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 1981 (Regular Session, 1982), c. 1388, s. 3.
(6) The Commission shall adopt rules establishing standards for the licensure, inspection, and operation of, and the provision of care and services by, the different types of hospitals to be licensed under Articles 2 and 5 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes.
(7) The Commission may adopt such rules, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as may be required by the federal government to secure federal grants-in-aid for medical facility services and licensure. This section shall be liberally construed in order that the State and its citizens may benefit from such grants-in-aid.
(8) The Commission shall adopt such rules, consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All rules adopted by the Commission since the enactment of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter shall remain in full force and effect until repealed or superseded by action of the Commission. All rules adopted by the Commission shall be enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services.
(9) The Commission may adopt rules concerning emergency medical services in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of Chapter 131E and Article 56 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(10) The Commission shall adopt rules for the operation of nursing homes, as defined by Article 6 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes.
(11) The Commission may adopt rules as necessary to establish standards for the licensure, inspection, and operation of, and the provision of care and services by, facilities licensed under Articles 6 and 10 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes.
(12) The Commission shall adopt rules providing for the accreditation of facilities that perform mammography procedures and for laboratories evaluating screening pap smears. Mammography accreditation standards shall address, but are not limited to, the quality of mammography equipment used and the skill levels and other qualifications of personnel who administer mammographies and personnel who interpret mammogram results. The Commission's standards shall be no less stringent than those established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services for Medicare/Medicaid coverage of screening mammography. These rules shall also specify procedures for waiver of these accreditation standards on an individual basis for any facility providing screening mammography to a significant number of patients, but only if there is no accredited facility located nearby. The Commission may grant a waiver subject to any conditions it deems necessary to protect the health and safety of patients, including requiring the facility to submit a plan to meet accreditation standards.
(13) The Commission shall adopt rules establishing standards for the licensure, inspection, and operation of, and the provision of care and services by, adult care homes, as defined by Article 1 of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes, and for personnel requirements of staff employed in adult care homes, except when rule-making authority is assigned by law to the Secretary.
(14) The Commission shall adopt rules establishing standards for the following with respect to facilities used as multiunit assisted housing with services, as defined by Article 1 of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes:
a. Registration and deregistration.
b. Disclosure statements.
c. Agreements for services.
d. Personnel requirements.
e. Resident admissions and discharges. (1973, c. 476, s. 148; c. 1090, s. 2; c. 1224, s. 3; 1981, c. 614, s. 10; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1388, s. 3; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1022, s. 6; 1987, c. 34; 1991, c. 490, s. 4; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1999-334, ss. 3.6, 3.7; 2023-65, s. 4.1.)
§ 143B-166. North Carolina Medical Care Commission - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
The North Carolina Medical Care Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 17 members appointed by the Governor. Three of the members appointed by the Governor shall be nominated by the North Carolina Medical Society, one member shall be nominated by the North Carolina Nurses Association, one member shall be nominated by the North Carolina Pharmaceutical Association, one member nominated by the Duke Foundation and one member nominated by the North Carolina Hospital Association. The remaining 10 members of the North Carolina Medical Care Commission shall be appointed by the Governor and selected so as to fairly represent agriculture, industry, labor, and other interest groups in North Carolina. One such member appointed by the Governor shall be a dentist licensed to practice in North Carolina and one such member appointed by the Governor shall be an individual affiliated with a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community licensed pursuant to Article 64 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes. The initial members of the Commission shall be 18 members of the North Carolina Medical Care Commission who shall serve for a period equal to the remainder of their current terms on the North Carolina Medical Care Commission, six of whose appointments expire June 30, 1973, four of whose appointments expire June 30, 1974, four of whose appointments expire June 30, 1975, and four of whose appointments expire June 30, 1976. To achieve the required 17 members the Governor shall appoint three members to the Commission upon the expiration of four members' initial terms on June 30, 1973. At the end of the respective terms of office of the initial members of the Commission, their successors shall be appointed for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Commission from office for misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-13 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
Vacancies on said Commission among the membership nominated by a society, association, or foundation as hereinabove provided shall be filled by the Executive Committee or other authorized agent of said society, association or foundation until the next meeting of the society, association or foundation at which time the society, association or foundation shall nominate a member to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 149; c. 1090, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2019-240, s. 23(a).)
§ 143B-167. North Carolina Medical Care Commission - regular and special meetings.
The North Carolina Medical Care Commission shall meet at least once in each quarter and may hold special meetings at any time and place within the State at the call of the chairman or upon the written request of at least nine members. (1973, c. 476, s. 150; c. 1090, s. 2.)
§ 143B-168. North Carolina Medical Care Commission - officers.
The North Carolina Medical Care Commission shall have a chairman and vice-chairman. The chairman shall be designated by the Governor from among the members of the Commission to serve as chairman at his pleasure. The vice-chairman shall be elected by and from the members of the Commission and shall serve for a term of two years or until the expiration of his regularly appointed term. (1973, c. 476, s. 151; c. 1090, s. 2.)
§ 143B-168.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 788, s. 23.
§ 143B-168.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 788, s. 24.
§ 143B-168.3. Child Care Commission - powers and duties.
(a) The Child Day-Care Licensing Commission of the Department of Administration is transferred, recodified, and renamed the Child Care Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services with the power and duty to adopt rules to be followed in the licensing and operation of child care facilities as provided by Article 7 of Chapter 110 of the General Statutes.
(a1) The Child Care Commission shall adopt rules:
(1) For the issuance of licenses to any child care facility; and
(2) To adopt rules as provided by Article 7 of Chapter 110 of the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina, and to establish standards for enhanced program licenses, as authorized by G.S. 110-88(7).
(b) The Commission shall adopt rules consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. All rules not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter heretofore adopted by the Child Day-Care Licensing Commission shall remain in full force and effect unless and until repealed or superseded by action of the Child Care Commission. All rules and regulations adopted by the Commission shall be enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services. (1985, c. 757, s. 155(a); 1987, c. 788, ss. 25, 26; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1997-456, s. 27; 1997-506, s. 56.)
§ 143B-168.4. Child Care Commission - members; selection; quorum.
(a) The Child Care Commission of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 17 members. Nine of the members shall be appointed by the Governor and eight by the General Assembly, four upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and four upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Four of the members appointed by the Governor, two by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be members of the public who are not employed in, or providing, child care and who have no financial interest in a child care facility. Two of the foregoing public members appointed by the Governor, one of the foregoing public members recommended by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one of the foregoing public members recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be parents of children receiving child care services. Of the remaining two public members appointed by the Governor, one shall be a pediatrician currently licensed to practice in North Carolina. Three of the members appointed by the Governor shall be child care providers, one of whom shall be affiliated with a for-profit child care center, one of whom shall be affiliated with a for-profit family child care home, and one of whom shall be affiliated with a nonprofit facility. Two of the members appointed by the Governor shall be early childhood education specialists. Two of the members appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two by the General Assembly on recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be child care providers, one affiliated with a for-profit child care facility, and one affiliated with a nonprofit child care facility. None of the members may be employees of the State.
(b) Members shall be appointed as follows:
(1) Of the Governor's initial appointees, five shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2020, and four shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2021.
(2) Of the General Assembly's initial appointees appointed upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, two shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2020, and two shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2021.
(3) Of the General Assembly's initial appointees appointed upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2020, and two shall be appointed for terms expiring June 30, 2021.
Appointments by the General Assembly shall be made in accordance with G.S. 120-121. After the initial appointees' terms have expired, all members shall be appointed to serve two-year terms. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
(c) A vacancy occurring during a term of office is filled:
(1) By the Governor, if the Governor made the initial appointment;
(2) By the General Assembly, if the General Assembly made the initial appointment in accordance with G.S. 120-122.
At its first meeting the Commission members shall elect a Chair to serve a term expiring June 30, 2020. A successor Chair shall be elected for two-year terms thereafter. The same member may serve as Chair for two consecutive terms.
Commission members may be removed pursuant to G.S. 143B-13(d).
Commission members may be reappointed and may succeed themselves for a maximum of four consecutive terms.
The Commission shall meet quarterly, and at other times at the call of the Chair or upon written request of at least six members.
The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5. A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All clerical and other services required by the Commission shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1985, c. 757, s. 155(a); 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 896; 1989, c. 342; 1995, c. 490, s. 10; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1997-506, s. 57; 2011-145, s. 10.7(c); 2013-360, s. 12B.1(h); 2013-363, s. 4.2; 2019-32, s. 3.)
§ 143B-168.5. Child Care - special unit.
There is established within the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, a special unit to deal primarily with violations involving child abuse and neglect in child care arrangements. The Child Care Commission shall make rules for the investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect and for administrative action when child abuse or neglect is substantiated, pursuant to G.S. 110-88(6a), 110-105, 110-105.3, 110-105.4, 110-105.5, and 110-105.6. (1985, c. 757, s. 156(r); 1991, c. 273, s. 12; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1997-506, s. 58; 2017-102, s. 23.)
§§ 143B-168.6 through 143B-168.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-168.10. Early childhood initiatives; findings.
The General Assembly finds, upon consultation with the Governor, that every child can benefit from, and should have access to, high-quality early childhood education and development services. The economic future and well-being of the State depend upon it. To ensure that all children have access to high-quality early childhood education and development services, the General Assembly further finds that:
(1) Parents have the primary duty to raise, educate, and transmit values to young preschool children;
(2) The State can assist parents in their role as the primary caregivers and educators of young preschool children; and
(3) There is a need to explore innovative approaches and strategies for aiding parents and families in the education and development of young preschool children. (1993, c. 321, s. 254(a); 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a).)
§ 143B-168.10A. NC Pre-K Reports.
The Division of Child Development and Early Education shall submit an annual report no later than March 15 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Office of State Budget and Management, and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include the following:
(1) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program.
(2) The number of children participating in the NC Pre-K program who have never been served in other early education programs, such as child care, public or private preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start, or early intervention programs.
(3) The expected NC Pre-K expenditures for the programs and the source of the local contributions.
(4) The results of an annual evaluation of the NC Pre-K program. (2012-142, s. 10.1(g).)
§ 143B-168.10B: Repealed by Session Laws 2018-5, s. 11B.1(a), as added by 2018-2, s. 7, effective July 1, 2018.
§ 143B-168.10C. Adjustments to NC Prekindergarten Program Funds.
When developing the base budget, as defined by G.S. 143C-1-1, the Director of the Budget shall include increased funding for the NC Prekindergarten (NC Pre-K) program by an additional nine million three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($9,350,000) for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and by an additional eighteen million seven hundred thousand dollars ($18,700,000) for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. An appropriation under this section is a statutory appropriation as defined in G.S. 143C-1-1(d)(28). (2018-5, s. 11B.1(b).)
§ 143B-168.10F. Information on NC Pre-K school options.
(a) The Division of Childhood Development and Early Education of the Department of Health and Human Services shall post the following information on its website:
(1) The educational opportunities for kindergarten offered by local school administrative units.
(2) The educational opportunities for kindergarten offered by charter schools.
(3) Scholarships for enrollment in nonpublic schools provided pursuant to Part 2A of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, or any successor program.
This information shall be indexed or searchable by county, and the Division shall update the information on June 1 each year.
(b) Facilities participating in the NC Pre-K program shall provide to all families the address of the website where the information can be found and a brief description of the information available. Upon request, a facility participating in the NC Pre-K program must furnish to a family a list of the following educational opportunities located in the same county as the NC Pre-K facility, or, if specified, any other county:
(1) The educational opportunities for kindergarten offered by local school administrative units.
(2) The educational opportunities for kindergarten offered by charter schools.
(3) Scholarships for enrollment in nonpublic schools provided pursuant to Part 2A of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, or any successor program. (2021-117, s. 2(a).)
§ 143B-168.11. Early childhood initiatives; purpose; definitions.
(a) The purpose of this Part is to establish a framework whereby the General Assembly, upon consultation with the Governor, may support through financial and other means, the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. and comparable local partnerships, which have as their missions the development of a comprehensive, long-range strategic plan for early childhood development and the provision, through public and private means, of high-quality early childhood education and development services for children and families. It is the intent of the General Assembly that communities be given the maximum flexibility and discretion practicable in developing their plans while remaining subject to the approval of the North Carolina Partnership and accountable to the North Carolina Partnership and to the General Assembly for their plans and for the programmatic and fiscal integrity of the programs and services provided to implement them.
(b) The following definitions apply in this Part:
(1) Board of Directors. - The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.
(2) Department. - The Department of Health and Human Services.
(2a) Early Childhood. - Birth through five years of age.
(3) Local Partnership. - A county or regional private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to coordinate a local demonstration project, to provide ongoing analyses of their local needs that must be met to ensure that the developmental needs of children are met in order to prepare them to begin school healthy and ready to succeed, and, in consultation with the North Carolina Partnership and subject to the approval of the North Carolina Partnership, to provide programs and services to meet these needs under this Part, while remaining accountable for the programmatic and fiscal integrity of their programs and services to the North Carolina Partnership.
(4) North Carolina Partnership. - The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.
(5) Secretary. - The Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1993, c. 321, s. 254(a); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a).)
§ 143B-168.12. North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.; conditions.
(a) In order to receive State funds, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) The North Carolina Partnership shall have a Board of Directors consisting of the following 26 members:
a. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, ex officio, or the Secretary's designee.
b. Repealed by Session Laws 1997, c. 443, s. 11A.105.
c. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, ex officio, or the Superintendent's designee.
d. The President of the Community Colleges System, ex officio, or the President's designee.
e. Three members of the public, including one child care provider, one other who is a parent, and one other who is a board chair of a local partnership serving on the North Carolina Partnership local partnership advisory committee, appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
f. Three members of the public, including one who is a parent, one other who is a representative of the faith community, and one other who is a board chair or designee of the board chair of a local partnership serving on the North Carolina Partnership local partnership advisory committee, appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
g. Twelve members, appointed by the Governor. Three of these 12 members shall be members of the party other than the Governor's party, appointed by the Governor. Seven of these 12 members shall be appointed as follows: one who is a child care provider, one other who is a pediatrician, one other who is a health care provider, one other who is a parent, one other who is a member of the business community, one other who is a member representing a philanthropic agency, and one other who is an early childhood educator.
h. Repealed by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), effective October 30, 1998.
h1. The Chair of the North Carolina Partnership Board shall be appointed by the Governor.
i. Repealed by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), effective October 30, 1998.
j. One member of the public appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Majority Leader of the Senate.
k. One member of the public appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
l. One member of the public appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Minority Leader of the Senate.
m. One member of the public appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
n. The Director of the NC Pre-K Program, or the Director's designee.
All members appointed to succeed the initial members and members appointed thereafter shall be appointed for three-year terms. Members may succeed themselves.
All appointed board members shall avoid conflicts of interests and the appearance of impropriety. Should instances arise when a conflict may be perceived, any individual who may benefit directly or indirectly from the North Carolina Partnership's disbursement of funds shall abstain from participating in any decision or deliberations by the North Carolina Partnership regarding the disbursement of funds.
All ex officio members are voting members. Each ex officio member may be represented by a designee. These designees shall be voting members. No members of the General Assembly shall serve as members.
The North Carolina Partnership may establish a nominating committee and, in making their recommendations of members to be appointed by the General Assembly or by the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the Governor shall consult with and consider the recommendations of this nominating committee.
The North Carolina Partnership may establish a policy on members' attendance, which policy shall include provisions for reporting absences of at least three meetings immediately to the appropriate appointing authority.
Members who miss more than three consecutive meetings without excuse or members who vacate their membership shall be replaced by the appropriate appointing authority, and the replacing member shall serve either until the General Assembly and the Governor can appoint a successor or until the replaced member's term expires, whichever is earlier.
The North Carolina Partnership shall establish a policy on membership of the local boards. No member of the General Assembly shall serve as a member of a local board. Within these requirements for local board membership, the North Carolina Partnership shall allow local partnerships that are regional to have flexibility in the composition of their boards so that all counties in the region have adequate representation.
All appointed local board members shall avoid conflicts of interests and the appearance of impropriety. Should instances arise when a conflict may be perceived, any individual who may benefit directly or indirectly from the partnership's disbursement of funds shall abstain from participating in any decision or deliberations by the partnership regarding the disbursement of funds.
(2) The North Carolina Partnership and the local partnerships shall agree to adopt procedures for its operations that are comparable to those of Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Open Meetings Law, and Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, the Public Records Law, and provide for enforcement by the Department. The procedures may provide for the confidentiality of personnel files comparable to Article 7 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes.
(3) The North Carolina Partnership shall oversee the development and implementation of the local demonstration projects as they are selected and shall approve the ongoing plans, programs, and services developed and implemented by the local partnerships and hold the local partnerships accountable for the financial and programmatic integrity of the programs and services. The North Carolina Partnership may contract at the State level to obtain services or resources when the North Carolina Partnership determines it would be more efficient to do so.
In the event that the North Carolina Partnership determines that a local partnership is not fulfilling its mandate to provide programs and services designed to meet the developmental needs of children in order to prepare them to begin school healthy and ready to succeed and is not being accountable for the programmatic and fiscal integrity of its programs and services, the North Carolina Partnership may suspend all funds to the partnership until the partnership demonstrates that these defects are corrected. Further, at its discretion, the North Carolina Partnership may assume the managerial responsibilities for the partnership's programs and services until the North Carolina Partnership determines that it is appropriate to return the programs and services to the local partnership.
(4) The North Carolina Partnership shall develop and implement a comprehensive standard fiscal accountability plan to ensure the fiscal integrity and accountability of State funds appropriated to it and to the local partnerships. The standard fiscal accountability plan shall, at a minimum, include a uniform, standardized system of accounting, internal controls, payroll, fidelity bonding, chart of accounts, and contract management and monitoring. The North Carolina Partnership may contract with outside firms to develop and implement the standard fiscal accountability plan. All local partnerships shall be required to participate in the standard fiscal accountability plan developed and adopted by the North Carolina Partnership pursuant to this subdivision.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 10.5(b), effective July 1, 2011.
(6) The North Carolina Partnership shall develop a formula for allocating direct services funds appropriated for this purpose to local partnerships.
(7) The North Carolina Partnership may adjust its allocations by up to ten percent (10%) on the basis of local partnerships' performance assessments. In determining whether to adjust its allocations to local partnerships, the North Carolina Partnership shall consider whether the local partnerships are meeting the outcome goals and objectives of the North Carolina Partnership and the goals and objectives set forth by the local partnerships in their approved annual program plans.
The North Carolina Partnership may use additional factors to determine whether to adjust the local partnerships' allocations. These additional factors shall be developed with input from the local partnerships and shall be communicated to the local partnerships when the additional factors are selected. These additional factors may include board involvement, family and community outreach, collaboration among public and private service agencies, and family involvement.
On the basis of performance assessments, local partnerships annually shall be rated "superior", "satisfactory", or "needs improvement".
The North Carolina Partnership may contract with outside firms to conduct the performance assessments of local partnerships.
(8) The North Carolina Partnership shall establish a local partnership advisory committee comprised of 15 members. Eight of the members shall be chosen from past board chairs or duly elected officers currently serving on local partnerships' board of directors at the time of appointment and shall serve three-year terms. Seven of the members shall be staff of local partnerships. Members shall be chosen by the Chair of the North Carolina Partnership from a pool of candidates nominated by their respective boards of directors. The local partnership advisory committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the North Carolina Partnership and shall establish a schedule of regular meetings. Members shall be chosen from local partnerships on a rotating basis. The advisory committee shall annually elect a chair from among its members.
(9) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 21.75(h), effective July 1, 2001.
(b) The North Carolina Partnership shall be subject to audit and review by the State Auditor under Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes. The State Auditor shall conduct annual financial and compliance audits of the North Carolina Partnership.
(c) The North Carolina Partnership shall require each local partnership to place in each of its contracts a statement that the contract is subject to monitoring by the local partnership and North Carolina Partnership, that contractors and subcontractors shall be fidelity bonded, unless the contractors or subcontractors receive less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or unless the contract is for child care subsidy services, that contractors and subcontractors are subject to audit oversight by the State Auditor, and that contractors and subcontractors shall be subject to the requirements of G.S. 143C-6-22. Organizations subject to G.S. 159-34 shall be exempt from this requirement.
(d) The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall make a report no later than December 1 of each year to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly that shall include the following:
(1) A description of the program and significant services and initiatives.
(2) A history of Smart Start funding and the previous fiscal year's expenditures.
(3) The number of children served by type of service.
(4) The type and quantity of services provided.
(5) The results of the previous year's evaluations of the Initiatives or related programs and services.
(6) A description of significant policy and program changes.
(7) Any recommendations for legislative action.
(e) The North Carolina Partnership shall develop guidelines for local partnerships to follow in selecting capital projects to fund. The guidelines shall include assessing the community needs in relation to the quantity of child care centers, assessing the cost of purchasing or constructing new facilities as opposed to renovating existing facilities, and prioritizing capital needs such as construction, renovations, and playground equipment and other amenities.
(f) The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall establish uniform guidelines and a reporting format for local partnerships to document the qualifying expenses occurring at the contractor level. Local partnerships shall monitor qualifying expenses to ensure they have occurred and meet the requirements prescribed in this subsection. (1993, c. 321, s. 254(a); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1; 1995, c. 324, s. 27A.1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 24.29(b); 1997-443, ss. 11.55(l), 11A.105; 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), (b); 1999-84, s. 24; 1999-237, s. 11.48(a); 2000-67, s. 11.28(a); 2001-424, ss. 21.75(h), 21.75(i); 2002-126, s. 10.55(d); 2003-284, ss. 10.38(l), 10.38(m), 10.38(n); 2004-124, s. 10.37; 2006-203, s. 104; 2006-264, s. 1(b); 2007-323, s. 10.19B(a); 2009-451, s. 20C.1(a); 2011-145, s. 10.5(b); 2015-264, s. 78; 2016-30, s. 2; 2020-78, s. 4C.1.)
§ 143B-168.13. Implementation of program; duties of Department and Secretary.
(a) The Department shall:
(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), effective October 30, 1998.
(1a) Develop and conduct a statewide needs and resource assessment every third year, beginning in the 1997-98 fiscal year. This needs assessment shall be conducted in cooperation with the North Carolina Partnership and with the local partnerships. This needs assessment shall include a statewide assessment of capital needs. The data and findings of this needs assessment shall form the basis for annual program plans developed by local partnerships and approved by the North Carolina Partnership.
(2) Recodified as (a)(1a) by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a).
(2a) Repealed by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(l), effective October 30, 1998.
(3) Provide technical and administrative assitance to local partnerships, particularly during the first year after they are selected under this Part to receive State funds. The Department, at any time, may authorize the North Carolina Partnership or a governmental or public entity to do the contracting for one or more local partnerships. After a local partnership's first year, the Department may allow the partnership to contract for itself.
(4) Adopt, in cooperation with the North Carolina Partnership, any rules necessary to implement this Part, including rules to ensure that State leave policy is not applied to the North Carolina Partnership and the local partnerships. In order to allow local partnerships to focus on the development of long-range plans in their initial year of funding, the Department may adopt rules that limit the categories of direct services for young children and their families for which funds are made available during the initial year.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 1996, Second Extra Session, c. 18, s. 24.29(c).
(6) Annually update its funding formula, in collaboration with the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., using the most recent data available. These amounts shall serve as the basis for determining "full funding" amounts for each local partnership.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), effective October 30, 1998. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 24.29(c); 1997-443, s. 11.55(m); 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), (b); 2000-67, s. 11.28(b); 2002-126, s. 10.55(e).)
§ 143B-168.14. Local partnerships; conditions.
(a) In order to receive State funds, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) Each local partnership shall develop a comprehensive, collaborative, long-range plan of services to children and families in the service-delivery area. No existing local, private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, other than one established on or after July 1, 1993, and that meets the guidelines for local partnerships as established under this Part, shall be eligible to apply to serve as the local partnership for the purpose of this Part. The Board of the North Carolina Partnership may authorize exceptions to this eligibility requirement.
(2) Each local partnership shall agree to adopt procedures for its operations that are comparable to those of Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the Open Meetings Law, and Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, the Public Records Law, and provide for enforcement by the Department. The procedures may provide for the confidentiality of personnel files comparable to Article 7 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes.
(3) Each local partnership shall adopt procedures to ensure that all personnel who provide services to young children and their families under this Part know and understand their responsibility to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or dependency, as defined in G.S. 7B-101.
(4) Each local partnership shall participate in the uniform, standard fiscal accountability plan developed and adopted by the North Carolina Partnership.
(b) Each local partnership shall be subject to audit and review by the North Carolina Partnership. The North Carolina Partnership shall contract for annual financial and compliance audits of local partnerships that are rated "needs improvement" in performance assessments authorized in G.S. 143B-168.12(a)(7). Local partnerships that are rated "superior" or "satisfactory" in performance assessments authorized in G.S. 143B-168.12(a)(7) shall undergo biennial financial and compliance audits as contracted for by the North Carolina Partnership. The North Carolina Partnership shall provide the State Auditor with a copy of each audit conducted pursuant to this subsection. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 24.29(d)(1); 1997-506, s. 59; 1998-202, s. 13(ll); 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a); 2003-284, s. 19.1; 2007-323, s. 10.19B(b); 2009-451, s. 20C.1(b).)
§ 143B-168.15. Use of State funds.
(a) State funds allocated to local projects for services to children and families shall be used to meet assessed needs, expand coverage, and improve the quality of these services. The local plan shall address the assessed needs of all children to the extent feasible. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the needs of both young children below poverty who remain in the home, as well as the needs of young children below poverty who require services beyond those offered in child care settings, be addressed. Therefore, as local partnerships address the assessed needs of all children, they should devote an appropriate amount of their State allocations, considering these needs and other available resources, to meet the needs of children below poverty and their families.
(b) Depending on local, regional, or statewide needs, funds may be used to support activities and services that shall be made available and accessible to providers, children, and families on a voluntary basis. Of the funds allocated to local partnerships for direct services, seventy percent (70%) of the funds spent in each year shall be used in child care related activities and early childhood education programs that improve access to child care and early childhood education services, develop new child care and early childhood education services, and improve the quality of child care and early childhood education services in all settings.
(c) Long-term plans for local projects that do not receive their full allocation in the first year, other than those selected in 1993, should consider how to meet the assessed needs of low-income children and families within their neighborhoods or communities. These plans also should reflect a process to meet these needs as additional allocations and other resources are received.
(d) State funds designated for start-up and related activities may be used for capital expenses or to support activities and services for children, families, and providers. State funds designated to support direct services for children, families, and providers shall not be used for major capital expenses unless the North Carolina Partnership approves this use of State funds based upon a finding that a local partnership has demonstrated that (i) this use is a clear priority need for the local plan, (ii) it is necessary to enable the local partnership to provide services and activities to underserved children and families, and (iii) the local partnership will not otherwise be able to meet this priority need by using State or federal funds available to that local partnership. The funds approved for capital projects in any two consecutive fiscal years may not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total funds for direct services allocated to a local partnership in those two consecutive fiscal years.
(e) State funds allocated to local partnerships shall not supplant current expenditures by counties on behalf of young children and their families, and maintenance of current efforts on behalf of these children and families shall be sustained. State funds shall not be applied without the Secretary's approval where State or federal funding sources, such as Head Start, are available or could be made available to that county.
(f) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-424, s. 21.75(g), effective July 1, 2001.
(g) Not less than thirty percent (30%) of the funds spent in each year of each local partnership's direct services allocation shall be used to expand child care subsidies. To the extent practicable, these funds shall be used to enhance the affordability, availability, and quality of child care services as described in this section. The North Carolina Partnership may increase this percentage requirement up to a maximum of fifty percent (50%) when, based upon a significant local waiting list for subsidized child care, the North Carolina Partnership determines a higher percentage is justified. Local partnerships shall spend an amount for child care subsidies that provides at least fifty-two million dollars ($52,000,000) for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) maintenance of effort requirement and the Child Care Development Fund and Block Grant match requirement. Funds allocated under this section shall supplement and not supplant any federal or State funds allocated to Department of Defense-certified child care facilities licensed under G.S. 110-106.2.
(h) State funds allocated to local partnerships that are unexpended at the end of a fiscal year shall remain available to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to reallocate to local partnerships. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1; 1995, c. 509, s. 97; 1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 18, s. 24.29(e); 1997-443, s. 11.55(n); 1997-506, s. 60; 1998-212, s. 12.37B(a), (b); 1999-237, s. 11.48(o); 2000-67, ss. 11.28(c), 11.28(d); 2001-424, s. 21.75(g); 2008-123, s. 2; 2014-100, s. 12B.2(b); 2015-241, s. 12B.9(b).)
§ 143B-168.16. Home-centered services; consent.
No home-centered services including home visits or in-home parenting training shall be allowed under this Part unless the written, informed consent of the participating parents authorizing the home-centered services is first obtained by the local partnership, educational institution, local school administrative unit, private school, not-for-profit organization, governmental agency, or other entity that is conducting the parenting program. The participating parents may revoke at any time their consent for the home-centered services.
The consent form shall contain a clear description of the program including (i) the activities and information to be provided by the program during the home visits, (ii) the number of expected home visits, (iii) any responsibilities of the parents, (iv) the fact, if applicable, that a record will be made and maintained on the home visits, (v) the fact that the parents may revoke at any time the consent, and (vi) any other information as may be necessary to convey to the parents a clear understanding of the program.
Parents at all times shall have access to any record maintained on home-centered services provided to their family and may place in that record a written response to any information with which they disagree that is in the record. (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 766, s. 1.)
§ 143B-168.25. Child care funds matching requirements.
No local matching funds may be required by the Department of Health and Human Services as a condition of any locality's receiving its initial allocation of child care funds unless federal law requires a match. If the Department reallocates additional funds above twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to local purchasing agencies beyond their initial allocation, local purchasing agencies must provide a twenty percent (20%) local match to receive the reallocated funds. Matching requirements shall not apply when funds are allocated because of an emergency as defined in G.S. 166A-19.3(6). (2017-57, s. 11B.6.)
§ 143B-168.26. Child care revolving loan.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, funds budgeted for the Child Care Revolving Loan Fund may be transferred to and invested by the financial institution contracted to operate the Fund. The principal and any income to the Fund may be used to make loans, reduce loan interest to borrowers, serve as collateral for borrowers, pay the contractor's cost of operating the Fund, or pay the Department's cost of administering the program. (2017-57, s. 11B.6.)
§ 143B-168.27. Administrative allowance for county departments of social services; use of subsidy funds for fraud detection.
(a) The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division), shall fund the allowance that county departments of social services may use for administrative costs at four percent (4%) of the county's total child care subsidy funds allocated in the Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant plan or eighty thousand dollars ($80,000), whichever is greater.
(b) Each county department of social services may use up to two percent (2%) of child care subsidy funds allocated to the county for fraud detection and investigation initiatives.
(c) The Division may adjust the allocations in the Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant according to (i) the final allocations for local departments of social services under subsection (a) of this section and (ii) the funds allocated for fraud detection and investigation initiatives under subsection (b) of this section. The Division shall submit a report on the final adjustments to the allocations of the four percent (4%) administrative costs to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division no later than September 30 of each year. (2017-57, s. 11B.6.)
§§ 143B-169 through 143B-172: Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 504, s. 9.
§§ 143B-173 through 143B-176: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 533, s. 3.
§§ 143B-176.1 through 143B-176.2: Recodified as §§ 143B-164.11 and 143B-164.12 by Session Laws 1997-18, ss. 13(b) and (c).
§ 143B-177. Council on Developmental Disabilities - creation, powers and duties.
There is hereby created the Council on Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Council on Developmental Disabilities shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the development and implementation of the State plan as required by Public Law 98-527, the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984, by:
a. Identifying ways and means of promoting public understanding of developmental disabilities;
b. Examining the federally assisted State programs of all State agencies which provide services for persons with developmental disabilities;
c. Describing the quality, extent and scope of services being provided, or to be provided, to persons with developmental disabilities in North Carolina;
d. Recommending ways and means for coordination of programs to prevent duplication and overlapping of such services;
e. Considering the need for new State programs and laws in the field of developmental disabilities; and
f. Conducting activities which will increase and support the independence, productivity, and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities.
(2) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the coordination of planning and service delivery of all State-funded programs which provide service to persons with developmental disabilities by:
a. Gathering, analyzing and interpreting individual and aggregate needs assessment data from all State agencies that provide services to developmentally disabled;
b. Conducting special needs assessment studies as may be necessary;
c. Specifying and supporting activities that will enhance the services delivered by individual agencies by reducing barriers between agencies;
d. Identifying service development priorities that require cooperative interagency planning and development;
e. Providing coordinative and technical assistance in interagency planning and development efforts; and
f. Coordinating interagency training efforts that will promote more effective service delivery to persons with developmental disabilities.
(3) To advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding other matters relating to developmental disabilities and upon any matter the Secretary may refer to it. (1973, c. 476, s. 167; 1987, c. 780; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-178. Council on Developmental Disabilities - definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Chapter:
(1) The term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of a person which:
a. Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments;
b. Is manifested before the person attains age 22, unless the disability is caused by a traumatic head injury and is manifested after age 22;
c. Is likely to continue indefinitely;
d. Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: (i) self-care, (ii) receptive and expressive language, (iii) learning, (iv) mobility, (v) self-direction, (vi) capacity for independent living, and (vii) economic self-sufficiency; and
e. Reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
(2) The term "services for persons with developmental disabilities," as it is used in this Article, means:
a. Alternative community living arrangement services, employment related activities, child development services, and case management services; and
b. Any other specialized services or special adaptations of generic services including diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, personal care, child care, adult care, special living arrangements, training, education, sheltered employment, recreation and socialization, counseling of the individual with such a disability and of his family, protective and other social and sociolegal services, information and referral services, follow-along services, nonvocational social-developmental services, and transportation services necessary to assure delivery of services to persons with developmental disabilities, and services to promote and coordinate activities to prevent developmental disabilities. (1973, c. 476, s. 168; 1977, c. 881, ss. 1, 2; 1979, c. 752, s. 1 1987, c. 780; 1995, c. 535, s. 33; 1997-506, s. 61.)
§ 143B-179. Council on Developmental Disabilities - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
(a) The Council on Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 32 members appointed by the Governor. The composition of the Council shall be as follows:
(1) Eleven members from the General Assembly and State government agencies as follows: One person who is a member of the Senate, one person who is a member of the House of Representatives, one representative of the Department of Public Instruction, one representative of the Department of Adult Correction, and seven representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services to include the Secretary or his designee.
(2) Sixteen members designated as consumers of service for the developmentally disabled. A consumer of services for the developmentally disabled is a person who (i) has a developmental disability or is the parent or guardian of such a person, or (ii) is an immediate relative or guardian of a person with mentally impairing developmental disability, and (iii) is not an employee of a State agency that receives funds or provides services under the provisions of Part B, Title 1, P.L. 98-527, as amended, the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984, is not a managing employee (as defined in Section 1126(b) of the Social Security Act) of any other entity that receives funds or provides services under such Part, and is not a person with an ownership or control interest (within the meaning of Section 1124(a)(3) of the Social Security Act) with respect to such an entity. Of these 16 members, at least one third shall be persons with developmental disabilities and at least another one third shall be the immediate relatives or guardians of persons with mentally impairing developmental disabilities, of whom at least one shall be an immediate relative or guardian of an institutionalized developmentally disabled person.
(3) Five members at large as follows: One representative of the university affiliated facility, one representative of the State protection and advocacy system, one representative of a local agency, one representative of a nongovernmental agency or nonprofit group concerned with services to persons with developmental disabilities, and one representative from the public at large.
The appointments of all members, with the exception of those from the General Assembly and State agencies shall be for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Governor shall make appropriate provisions for the rotation of membership on the Council.
(b) The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Council from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-16.
The Governor shall designate one member of the Council to serve as chairman at his pleasure.
Members of the Council shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All clerical and other services required by the council shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 169; c. 1117; 1977, c. 881, s. 3; 1979, c. 752, s. 2; 1987, c. 780; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1997-456, s. 27; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(iiiiii); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(yyy).)
§§ 143B-179.1 through 143B-179.4. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-179.5. Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities and Their Families; establishment, composition, organization; duties, compensation, reporting.
(a) There is established an Interagency Coordinating Council for Children from Birth to Five with Disabilities and Their Families in the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) The Interagency Coordinating Council shall have 26 members, appointed by the Governor. Effective July 1, 1994, the Governor shall designate 13 appointees to serve for two years and 13 appointees to serve for one year. Thereafter, the terms of all Council members shall be two years. The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Council from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-16. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. Members may be appointed to succeed themselves for one term and may be appointed again, after being off the Council for one term.
The composition of the Council and the designation of the Council's chair shall be as specified in the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (IDEA), P.L. 102-119, the federal early intervention legislation, except that two members shall be members of the Senate, appointed from recommendations of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and two members shall be members of the House of Representatives, appointed from recommendations of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(c) The chair may establish those standing and ad hoc committees and task forces as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council and appoint Council members or other individuals to serve on these committees and task forces. The Council shall meet at least quarterly. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(d) The Council shall advise the Department of Health and Human Services and other appropriate agencies in carrying out their early intervention services, and the Department of Public Instruction, and other appropriate agencies, in their activities related to the provision of special education services for preschoolers. The Council shall specifically address in its studies and evaluations that it considers necessary to its advising:
(1) The identification of sources of fiscal and other support for the early intervention system;
(2) The development of policies related to the early intervention services;
(3) The preparation of applications for available federal funds;
(4) The resolution of interagency disputes; and
(5) The promotion of interagency agreements.
(e) Members of the Council and parents on ad hoc committees and task forces of the Council shall receive travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
(f) The Council shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor and to the General Assembly on the status of the early intervention system for eligible infants and toddlers and on the status of special education services for preschoolers.
All clerical and other services required by the Council shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as specified by the interagency agreement authorized by G.S. 122C-112(a)(13). (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1003, s. 1; 1993, c. 487, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.106; 2006-69, s. 3(o); 2006-259, s. 34.)
§ 143B-179.5A: Repealed by Session Laws 2008-85, s. 1, effective July 11, 2008.
§ 143B-179.6. Interagency Coordinating Council for Children with Disabilities from Birth to Five Years of Age; agency cooperation.
All appropriate agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Instruction, and other public and private service providers shall cooperate with the Council in carrying out its mandate. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1003, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.107; 2006-69, s. 3(p).)
§ 143B-180. Governor's Advisory Council on Aging - creation, powers and duties.
There is hereby created the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Advisory Council on Aging shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) To make recommendations to the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services aimed at improving human services to the elderly;
(2) To study ways and means of promoting public understanding of the problems of the aging, to consider the need for new State programs in the field of aging, and to make recommendations to and advise the Governor and the Secretary on these matters;
(3) To advise the Department of Health and Human Services in the preparation of a plan describing the quality, extent and scope of services being provided, or to be provided, to elderly persons in North Carolina;
(4) To study the programs of all State agencies which provide services for elderly persons and to advise the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the coordination of programs to prevent duplication and overlapping of such services;
(5) To advise the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services upon any matter which the Governor and the Secretary may refer to it. (1973, c. 476, s. 171; 1977, c. 242, s. 1; 1983, c. 40, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-181. Governor's Advisory Council on Aging - members; selection; quorum; compensation.
The Governor's Advisory Council on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services shall consist of 33 members, 29 members to be appointed by the Governor, two members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The composition of the Council shall be as follows: one representative of the Department of Administration; one representative of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; one representative of the Division of Employment Security; one representative of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System; one representative of the Commissioner of Labor; one representative of the Department of Public Instruction; one representative of the Department of Environmental Quality; one representative of the Department of Insurance; one representative of the Department of Public Safety; one representative of the Department of Community Colleges; one representative of the School of Public Health of The University of North Carolina; one representative of the School of Social Work of The University of North Carolina; one representative of the Agricultural Extension Service of North Carolina State University; one representative of the collective body of the Medical Society of North Carolina; and 19 members at large. The at large members shall be citizens who are knowledgeable about services supported through the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and shall include persons with greatest economic or social need, minority older persons, and participants in programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The Governor shall appoint 15 members at large who meet these qualifications and are 60 years of age or older. The four remaining members at large, two of whom shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and two of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be broadly representative of the major private agencies and organizations in the State who are experienced in or have demonstrated particular interest in the special concerns of older persons. At least one of each of the at-large appointments of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be persons 60 years of age or older. The Council shall meet at least quarterly.
Members at large shall be appointed for four-year terms and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Ad interim appointments shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
The Governor shall have the power to remove any member of the Council from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-16 of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
The Governor shall designate one member of the Council as chair to serve in such capacity at his pleasure.
Members of the Council shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138-5.
A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All clerical and other services required by the Council shall be supplied by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (1973, c. 476, s. 172; 1975, c. 128, ss. 1, 2; 1977, c. 242, s. 2; c. 771, s. 4; 1983, c. 40, s. 2; 1989, c. 727, s. 218(127); 1993, c. 522, s. 16; 1995, c. 490, s. 3; 1997-443, s. 11A.108; 2011-145, s. 19.1(g); 2011-401, s. 3.19; 2015-241, ss. 14.30(s), (u).)
§ 143B-181.1. Division of Aging - creation, powers and duties.
(a) There is hereby created within the office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services a Division of Aging, which shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) To maintain a continuing review of existing programs for the aging in the State of North Carolina, and periodically make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for transmittal to the Governor and the General Assembly as appropriate for improvements in and additions to such programs;
(2) To study, collect, maintain, publish and disseminate factual data and pertinent information relative to all aspects of aging. These include the societal, economic, educational, recreational and health needs and opportunities of the aging;
(3) To stimulate, inform, educate and assist local organizations, the community at large, and older people themselves about aging, including needs, resources and opportunities for the aging, and about the role they can play in improving conditions for the aging;
(4) To serve as the agency through which various public and nonpublic organizations concerned with the aged can exchange information, coordinate programs, and be helped to engage in joint endeavors;
(5) To provide advice, information and technical assistance to North Carolina State government departments and agencies and to nongovernmental organizations which may be considering the inauguration of services, programs, or facilities for the aging, or which can be stimulated to take such action;
(6) To coordinate governmental programs with private agency programs for aging in order that such efforts be effective and that duplication and wasted effort be prevented or eliminated;
(7) To promote employment opportunities as well as proper and adequate recreational use of leisure for older people, including opportunities for uncompensated but satisfying volunteer work;
(8) To identify research needs, encourage research, and assist in obtaining funds for research and demonstration projects;
(9) To establish or help to establish demonstration programs of services to the aging;
(10) To establish a fee schedule to cover the cost of providing in-home and community-based services funded by the Division. The fees may vary on the basis of the type of service provided and the ability of the recipient to pay for the service. The fees may be imposed on the recipient of a service unless prohibited by federal law. The local agency shall retain the fee and use it to extend the availability of in-home and community-based services provided by the Division in support of functionally impaired older adults and family caregivers of functionally impaired older adults;
(11) To administer a Home and Community Care Block Grant for older adults, effective July 1, 1992. The Home and Community Care Block Grant shall be comprised of applicable Older Americans Act funds, Social Services Block Grant funding in support of the Respite Care Program (G.S. 143B-181.10), State funds for home and community care services administered by the Division of Aging, portions of the State In-Home and Adult Day Care funds (Chapter 1048, 1981 Session Laws) administered by the Division of Social Services which support services to older adults, and other funds appropriated by the General Assembly as part of the Home and Community Care Block Grant. Funding currently administered by the Division of Social Services to be included in the block grant will be based on the expenditures for older adults at a point in time to be mutually determined by the Divisions of Social Services and Aging. Reimbursement rates for adult day care services, adult day health services, and associated transportation services paid under the Home and Community Care Block Grant and the State Adult Day Care Fund shall be established at the local level. These rates shall reflect geographical differences, the availability of services, the cost to provide services, and other local variables. The total amount of Older Americans Act funds to be included in the Home and Community Care Block Grant and the matching rates for the block grant shall be established by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging. Allocations made to counties in support of older adults shall not be less than resources made available for the period July 1, 1990, through June 30, 1991, contingent upon availability of current State and federal funding; and
(12) To organize, coordinate, and provide staff support to the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature; [and]
(13) To develop a strategic State plan for Alzheimer's disease. The plan shall address ways to improve at least all of the following with respect to Alzheimer's disease:
a. Statewide awareness and education.
b. Early detection and diagnosis.
c. Care coordination.
d. Quality of care.
e. Health care system capacity.
f. Training for health care professionals.
g. Access to treatment.
h. Home- and community-based services.
i. Long-term care.
j. Caregiver assistance.
k. Research.
l. Brain health.
m. Data collection.
n. Public safety and safety-related needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
o. Legal protections for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
p. State policies to assist individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
(b) The Division shall function under the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Health and Human Services as provided in the Executive Organization Act of 1973 and shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the Secretary.
(c) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules to implement this Part and Title 42, Chapter 35, of the United States Code, entitled Programs for Older Americans. (1977, c. 242, s. 4; 1981, c. 614, s. 19; 1987, c. 827, s. 244; 1991, c. 52, s. 1; c. 241, s. 1; 1993, c. 503, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2014-100, s. 12D.5; 2021-180, s. 9A.3B(a).)
§ 143B-181.1A. Plan for serving older adults; inventory of existing data; cooperation by State agencies.
(a) The Division of Aging and Adult Services of the Department of Health and Human Services shall submit a regularly updated plan to the General Assembly by July 1 of every other odd-numbered year, beginning March 1, 1995. This plan shall include:
(1) A detailed analysis of the needs of older adults in North Carolina, based on existing available data, including demographic, geographic, health, social, economic, and other pertinent indicators.
(2) A clear statement of the goals of the State's long-term public policy on aging.
(3) An analysis of services currently provided and an analysis of additional services needed.
(4) Specific implementation recommendations on expansion and funding of current and additional services and service levels.
(b) The Division of Aging and Adult Services of the Department of Health and Human Services shall maintain an inventory of existing data sets regarding the elderly in North Carolina, in order to ensure that adequate demographic, geographic, health, social, economic, and other pertinent indicators are available to generate its regularly updated Plan for Serving Older Adults.
Upon request, the Division of Aging and Adult Services shall make information on these data sets available within a reasonable time.
All State agencies and entities that possess data relating to the elderly, including the Department of Administration and the Divisions of Public Health, Health Service Regulation, and Social Services of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall cooperate, upon request, with the Division of Aging and Adult Services in implementing this subsection. (1989, c. 52, s. 1; c. 695, s. 1; 1995, c. 253, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2007-182, s. 1; 2017-57, s. 11D.2.)
§ 143B-181.1B. Division as clearinghouse for information; agencies to provide information.
(a) The Division of Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, shall be the central clearinghouse for information regarding all State education and training programs available and being provided about and for the elderly in North Carolina.
(b) The Division of Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, shall produce and distribute annually an updated calendar of conferences, training events, and educational programs about and for the elderly in North Carolina.
(c) All State agencies and entities administering State or federal funding for education and training programs about and for the elderly shall provide to the Division of Aging by September 1 of each year all information required by the Division regarding conferences, training events, and educational programs provided about and for the elderly. (1989, c. 696, ss. 1-3; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-181.2. Assistant Secretary for Aging - appointment and duties.
(a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint an assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services, whose title shall be the Assistant Secretary for Aging. The Assistant Secretary for Aging shall monitor all aging programs in the Department of Health and Human Services and shall have such powers and duties as are conferred on him by this Part and delegated to him by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(b) The Assistant Secretary for Aging, through the appropriate subunits of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall, at the request of the Secretary, identify program needs for the aging, recommend program changes, coordinate intra-departmental program efforts, represent the Secretary in aging matters before boards and commissions, the General Assembly and the public, coordinate program contacts between the Department of Health and Human Services and private, State and federal agencies, initiate special studies on aging matters, and have the responsibility of assuring that services are delivered to the elderly of the State. (1977, c. 242, s. 4; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-181.3. Older adults - findings; policy.
(a) The North Carolina General Assembly finds the following:
(1) Older adults should be able to live as independently as possible, and to live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
(2) Older adults should have opportunities to be involved in their communities in ways they desire.
(3) Preventive and primary health care are necessary to assure optimal health and to enable active social and civic engagement by older adults.
(4) Sufficient opportunities for training in gerontology and geriatrics should be developed and readily available for individuals serving older adults.
(5) Older adults should have access to a broad range of services, supports, and opportunities, and they should have transportation options available to allow access to these services and to meet their daily needs and interests.
(6) Services for older adults should be person-centered and coordinated so that an individual's needs can be met efficiently, effectively, and in the least restrictive environment.
(7) Information should be readily available in each county on all programs and services for older adults.
(8) Older adults should have adequate opportunities for employment.
(9) Each county should have available a variety of housing options, including retirement housing, accessible affordable rental housing, and opportunities for residential home modifications, in order to allow older adults to remain in their communities.
(10) Older adults and their caregivers should have input in the planning and evaluation of programs and services for older adults, and they should have opportunities to advocate for these programs and services.
(11) The State should assist older adults who desire to remain as independent as possible and should encourage and support families in caring for their older members.
(b) It is the policy of the State to effectively utilize its resources to support and enhance the quality of life for older adults in North Carolina. (1979, c. 983, s. 1; 2010-66, s. 1.)
§ 143B-181.4. Responsibility for policy.
Responsibility for developing policy to carry out the purpose of this Part is vested in the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as provided in G.S. 143B-181.1 who may assign responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Aging. The Assistant Secretary for Aging shall, at the request of the Secretary, be the bridge between the federal and local level and shall review policies that affect the well being of older people with the goal of providing a balance in State programs to meet the social welfare and health needs of the total population. Responsibilities may include:
(1) Serving as chief advocate for older adults;
(2) Developing the State plan which will aid in the coordination of all programs for older people;
(3) Providing information and research to identify gaps in existing services;
(4) Promoting the development and expansion of services;
(5) Evaluation of programs;
(6) Bringing together the public and private sectors to provide services for older people. (1979, c. 983, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-181.5. Long-term services and supports - findings.
The North Carolina General Assembly finds that the aging of the population and advanced medical technology have resulted in a growing number of persons who require long-term services and supports. The primary resources for long-term assistance continues to be family and friends. However, these traditional caregivers are increasingly employed outside the home. There is growing demand for improvement and expansion of home and community-based long-term services and supports to complement the care provided by these informal caregivers.
The North Carolina General Assembly further finds that the public interest would best be served by a broad array of long-term services and supports that enable persons who need such services to remain in the home or in the community whenever practicable and that promote individual autonomy and dignity as these individuals exercise choice and control over their lives.
The North Carolina General Assembly finds that as other long-term service and support options become more readily available, the need for institutional care will stabilize or decline relative to the growing population of older adults and people living with disabilities. The General Assembly recognizes, however, that institutional care will continue to be a critical part of the State's long-term service and support options and that such care should promote individual dignity, autonomy, and a home like environment. (1981, c. 675, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 583, s. 2; 2010-66, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.6. Purpose and intent.
The development and implementation of policies for long-term services and supports should reflect the intent of the North Carolina General Assembly as follows:
(1) Long-term services and supports administered by the Department of Health and Human Services and other State and local agencies shall include a balanced array of health, social, and supportive services that are well coordinated to promote individual choice, dignity, and the highest practicable level of independence.
(2) Home and community-based services shall be developed, expanded, or maintained in order to meet the needs of consumers in the least confusing and least restrictive manner. Services should be based on the desires of older adults, persons with disabilities, their families, and others that support them.
(3) All services shall be responsive and appropriate to individual need and shall be delivered through a uniform and seamless system that is flexible and responsive regardless of funding source. Information and services shall be available through the effective use of Community Resource Connections for Aging and Disabilities as they are developed throughout the State.
(4) Services shall be available to all persons who need them, but shall be targeted primarily to those citizens who are the most frail and those with the greatest need.
(5) State and local agencies shall maximize the use of limited resources by establishing a fee system for persons who have the ability to pay.
(6) Care provided in facilities shall be offered in such a manner and in such an environment as to promote for each resident, maintenance of health, enhancement of the quality of life, and timely discharge to a less restrictive care setting when appropriate.
(7) State health planning for institutional bed supply shall take into account increased availability of home and community-based services options.
(8) In an effort to maximize the use of limited resources, State and local agencies shall invest in supports for families and other informal caregivers of persons requiring assistance.
(9) Emphasis shall be placed on offering evidence-based activities to promote healthy aging, prevent injuries, and manage chronic diseases and conditions.
(10) Individuals and families shall be encouraged and supported in planning for and financing their own future needs for long-term services and supports. (1981, c. 675, ss. 1, 2; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 583, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2010-66, s. 2.)
§§ 143B-181.7 through 143B-181.9: Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 583, s. 2.
§ 143B-181.9A: Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 179, s. 1.
§ 143B-181.10. Respite care program established; eligibility; services; administration; payment rates.
(a) A respite care program is established to provide needed relief to caregivers of impaired adults who cannot be left alone because of mental or physical problems.
(b) Those eligible for respite care under the program established by this section are limited to those unpaid primary caregivers who are caring for people 60 years of age or older and their spouses, or those unpaid primary caregivers 60 years of age or older who are caring for persons 18 years of age or older, who require constant supervision and who cannot be left alone either because of memory impairment, physical immobility, or other problems that renders them unsafe alone.
(c) Respite care services provided by the programs established by this section may include:
(1) Counseling and training in the caregiving role, including coping mechanisms and behavior modification techniques;
(2) Counseling and accessing available local, regional, and State services;
(3) Support group development and facilitation;
(4) Assessment and care planning for the patient of the caregiver;
(5) Attendance and companion services for the patient in order to provide release time to the caregiver;
(6) Personal care services, including meal preparation, for the patient of the caregiver;
(7) Temporarily placing the person out of his home to provide the caregiver total respite when the mental or physical stress on the caregiver necessitates this type of respite.
Program funds may provide no more than the current adult care. An out of home placement is defined as placement in a hospital, skilled or intermediate nursing facility, adult care home, adult day health center, or adult day care center. Duration of the service period may extend beyond a year.
(d) The respite care program established by this section shall be administered by the Division of Aging consistent with the policies and procedures of the Older Americans Act. The programs shall be coordinated with other appropriate Divisions in the Department of Health and Human Services, and with agencies and organizations concerned with the delivery of services to frail older adults and their unpaid caregivers. The Division shall choose respite care provider agencies in accordance with procedures outlined under the Older Americans Act and shall include the following criteria: documented capacity to provide care, adequacy of quality assurance, training, supervision, abuse prevention, complaint mechanisms, and cost. All funds allocated by the Division pursuant to this section shall be allocated on the same basis as funding under the Older Americans Act.
(e) Funding for the Division of Aging to administer this program shall not exceed the percentage allowed for administration as provided in the Older Americans Act but shall not be less than that budgeted for administration in fiscal year 1988-89.
(f) Unless prohibited by federal law, caregivers receiving respite care services through the program established by this section shall pay for some of the services on a sliding scale depending on their ability to pay. The Division of Aging, in consultation with the Councils of Governments in each region, shall specify rates of payment for the services. (1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1014, s. 7.1; 1989, c. 500, s. 96(a); c. 770, s. 63; 1991, c. 332, s. 1; 1995, c. 535, s. 34; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998-97, s. 1; 2000-50, s. 1.)
§§ 143B-181.11 through 143B-181.14. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-181.15. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program/Office; policy.
The General Assembly finds that a significant number of older citizens of this State reside in long-term care facilities and are dependent on others to provide their care. It is the intent of the General Assembly to protect and improve the quality of care and life for residents through the establishment of a program to assist residents and providers in the resolution of complaints or common concerns, to promote community involvement and volunteerism in long-term care facilities, and to educate the public about the long-term care system. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Health and Human Services, within available resources and pursuant to its duties under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder, ensure that the quality of care and life for these residents is maintained, that necessary reports are made, and that, when necessary, corrective action is taken at the Department level. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1995, c. 254, s. 3; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.16. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program/Office; definition.
Unless the content clearly requires otherwise, as used in this Article:
(1) "Long-term care facility" means any skilled nursing facility and intermediate care facility as defined in G.S. 131A-3(4) or any adult care home as defined in G.S. 131D-20(2).
(1a) Reserved for future codification purposes.
(1b) "Programmatic supervision" means the monitoring of the performance of the duties of the Regional Ombudsman and ensuring that the Area Agency on Aging has personnel policies and procedures consistent with the laws and policies governing the Ombudsman Program as performed by the State Ombudsman.
(1c) "Regional Ombudsman" means a person employed by an Area Agency on Aging who is certified and designated by the State Ombudsman to carry out the functions of the Regional Ombudsman Office established by this Article, 42 U.S.C. § 3001, et seq. and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(2) "Resident" means any person who is receiving treatment or care in any long-term care facility.
(3) "State Ombudsman" means the State Ombudsman as defined by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder, who carries out the duties and functions established by this Article and 42 U.S.C. § 3001, et seq. and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(4) "Willful interference" means actions or inactions taken by an individual in an attempt to intentionally prevent, interfere with, or attempt to impede the Ombudsman or a representative of the Office from performing any of the functions, responsibilities, or duties set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1995, c. 254, s. 2; c. 535, s. 35; 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.17. Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program/Office; establishment.
The Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services shall establish and maintain the Office of State Long-Term Ombudsman in the Division of Aging. The Office shall carry out the functions and duties required by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and as set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq. and regulations promulgated thereunder. This Office shall be headed by a State Ombudsman who is a person qualified by training and with experience in geriatrics and long-term care. The Attorney General shall provide legal staff and advice to this Office. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.18. Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program/State Ombudsman duties.
The State Ombudsman shall perform the duties provided below:
(1) Promote community involvement with long-term care providers and residents of long-term care facilities and serve as liaison between residents, residents' families, facility personnel, and facility administration.
(2) Supervise the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program pursuant to rules adopted by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to G.S. 143B-10.
(3) Certify regional ombudsmen. Certification requirements shall include an internship, training in the aging process, complaint resolution, long-term care issues, mediation techniques, recruitment and training of volunteers, and relevant federal, State, and local laws, policies, and standards.
(3a) Designate certified Regional Ombudsmen as representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman as well as refuse, suspend, or remove designation as a representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
(3b) Designate and refuse, suspend, or remove designation of volunteer representatives of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, including any community advisory committee appointees, in accordance with the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures.
(4) Attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of individuals who are residents of long-term care facilities, which complaints relate to administrative action that may adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of residents.
(5) Provide training and technical assistance to regional ombudsmen.
(6) Establish procedures for appropriate access by regional ombudsmen to long-term care facilities and residents' files, records, and other information, including procedures to protect the confidentiality of these files, records, and other information and to ensure that the identity of any complainant or resident will not be disclosed except as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq. and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(7) Analyze data relating to complaints and conditions in long-term care facilities to identify significant problems and recommend solutions.
(8) Prepare an annual report containing data and findings regarding the types of problems experienced and complaints reported by residents as well as recommendations for resolutions of identified long-term care issues.
(9) Prepare findings regarding public education and community involvement efforts and innovative programs being provided in long-term care facilities.
(10) Provide information to public agencies, and through the State Ombudsman, to legislators, and others regarding problems encountered by residents or providers as well as recommendations for resolution.
(11) Provide leadership for statewide systems advocacy efforts of the Office on behalf of long-term care residents, including independent determinations and positions that shall not be required to represent the position of the State agency or other agency within which the Ombudsman Program is organizationally located. Provide coordination of systems advocacy efforts with representatives of the Office as outlined in Ombudsman Policies and Procedures.
(12) To the extent required to meet the requirement of the Older Americans Act and regulations promulgated thereunder regarding allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities, the State Ombudsman and representatives of the Office are excluded from any State lobbying prohibitions under requirements to conduct systems advocacy on behalf of long-term care residents.
(13) Determine the use of the fiscal resources as required by 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq. and regulations promulgated thereunder. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1995, c. 254, s. 3; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2015-220, s. 2; 2017-103, s. 1(c).)
§ 143B-181.19. Office of Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; Regional Ombudsman; duties.
(a) An Office of Regional Ombudsman Program shall be established in each of the Area Agencies on Aging, and shall be headed by a designated Regional Ombudsman who shall carry out the functions and duties of the Office. The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman shall designate all Regional Ombudsmen housed within the Area Agency. The Area Agencies on Aging shall provide only personnel management for each Regional Ombudsman in accordance with personnel policies and procedures of the Agency that are consistent with federal and State Ombudsman law and policy. The State Ombudsman shall ensure that the Area Agency does not have personnel policies or practices that conflict with the laws and policies governing the Ombudsman Program.
(b) Pursuant to policies and procedures established by the State Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman, a Regional Ombudsman shall:
(1) Promote community involvement with long-term care facilities and residents of long-term care facilities and serve as a liaison between residents, residents' families, facility personnel, and facility administration;
(2) Receive and attempt to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities;
(3) Collect data about the number and types of complaints handled;
(4) Work with long-term care providers to resolve issues of common concern;
(5) Work with long-term care providers to promote increased community involvement;
(6) Offer assistance to long-term care providers in staff training regarding residents' rights;
(7) Report regularly to the office of State Ombudsman about the data collected and about the activities of the Regional Ombudsman;
(8) Provide training and technical assistance to the community advisory committees; and
(9) Provide information to the general public on long-term care issues and with the authorization of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman conduct systems advocacy activities on behalf of long-term care residents. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.20. State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; authority to enter; cooperation of government agencies; communication with residents.
(a) The State and Regional Ombudsman may enter any long-term care facility at any time during regular visiting hours or at any other time when access may be required by the circumstances to be investigated, and may have access to any resident in the pursuit of his function. The Ombudsman may communicate privately and confidentially with residents of the facility individually or in groups. The Ombudsman shall have access to the resident's files, records, and other information as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder, and under procedures established by the State Ombudsman pursuant to G.S. 143B-181.18(6). Entry shall be conducted in a manner that will not significantly disrupt the provision of nursing or other care to residents and if the long-term care facility requires registration of all visitors entering the facility, then the State or Regional Ombudsman must also register. Any State or Regional Ombudsman who discloses any information obtained from the resident's records except as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq., and regulations promulgated thereunder, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(b) The State or Regional Ombudsman shall identify himself as such to the resident, and the resident has the right to refuse to communicate with the Ombudsman.
(c) The resident has the right to participate in planning any course of action to be taken on his behalf by the State or Regional Ombudsman, and the resident has the right to approve or disapprove any proposed action to be taken on his behalf by the Ombudsman.
(d) The State or Regional Ombudsman shall meet with the facility administrator or person in charge before any action is taken to allow the facility the opportunity to respond, provide additional information, or take appropriate action to resolve the concern.
(e) The State and Regional Ombudsman may obtain from any government agency, and this agency shall provide, that cooperation, assistance, services, data, and access to files and records that will enable the Ombudsman to properly perform his duties and exercise his powers, provided this information is not privileged by law.
(f) If the subject of the complaint involves suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the Regional Ombudsman shall only with the written informed consent of the resident or authorization by the State Ombudsman notify the Adult Protection Services section of the county department of social services. Except as provided herein, the State or Regional Ombudsman is not subject to the reporting requirements of Article 6 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 1038; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 254, s. 4; 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.21. State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; resolution of complaints.
(a) Following receipt of a complaint, the State or Regional Ombudsman shall attempt to resolve the complaint using, whenever possible, informal techniques of mediation, conciliation, and persuasion.
(b) Complaints or conditions adversely affecting residents of long-term care facilities that cannot be resolved in the manner described in subsection (a) of this section shall be referred by the State or Regional Ombudsman to the appropriate licensure agency pursuant to G.S. 131E-100 through 110 and Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 2009-462, s. 4(n); 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.22. State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; confidentiality.
The identity of any complainant, resident on whose behalf a complaint is made, or any individual providing information on behalf of the resident or complainant relevant to the attempted resolution of the complaint along with the files, records, and other information produced by the process of complaint resolution is confidential and shall be disclosed only as permitted under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 3001 et seq. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1995, c. 254, s. 5; 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.23. State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; prohibition of retaliation.
No person shall discriminate or retaliate in any manner against any resident or relative or guardian of a resident, any employee of a long-term care facility, or any other person because of the making of a complaint or providing of information in good faith to the State Ombudsman or Regional Ombudsman. The Department shall determine instances of discrimination or retaliation and assess a monetary penalty in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per incident. The Department shall adopt rules pertaining to this determination of discrimination or retaliation. (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 2015-220, s. 2.)
§ 143B-181.24. Office of State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; immunity from liability.
No representative of the Office shall be liable for good faith performance of official duties. (1989, c. 403.)
§ 143B-181.25. Office of State/Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman; penalty for willful interference.
Willful or unnecessary obstruction with the State or Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman in the performance of his official duties is a Class 1 misdemeanor and subject to a fine of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). (1989, c. 403, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 1039; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2015-220, s. 2.)
§§ 143B-181.26 through 143B-181.49. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§§ 143B-181.50 through 143B-181.54. Repealed by Session Laws 1999-334, s. 3.11.
§ 143B-181.55. Creation, membership, meetings, organization, and adoption of measures.
(a) There is created the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature. It shall:
(1) Provide information and education to senior citizens on the legislative process and matters being considered by the General Assembly;
(2) Promote citizen involvement and advocacy concerning aging issues before the General Assembly; and
(3) Assess the legislative needs of older citizens by convening a forum modeled after the General Assembly.
(b) The delegates to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature shall be age 60 or over and shall be duly selected pursuant to procedures developed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging, and approved by the Secretary of the Department in consultation with senior citizens advocacy groups who have given written notice to the Division of Aging that they desire to be consulted. The Senior Tar Heel Legislative Session shall be organized and coordinated by the Division with Area Agencies on Aging organizing the local election procedures and other related matters. At the conclusion of each session, the Senior Tar Heel Legislature shall make a report of that session's proceedings and recommendations to the General Assembly. Delegates to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature shall be from each county.
(c) The Senior Tar Heel Legislature is authorized to meet one day in March of every year beginning in 1994 but shall hold its first session no later than August 1993. The sessions shall be held in the State Capitol or in a building to be selected by the Governor or the Governor's designee. The Senior Tar Heel Legislature is authorized to adopt bylaws to govern its internal procedures and is authorized to adopt such recommendations as it deems appropriate to present to the General Assembly for consideration.
(d) A report of the proceedings of each session of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature shall be presented to the next Regular Session of the North Carolina General Assembly. (1993, c. 503, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§§ 143B-182 through 143B-183: Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 51, s. 13.
§§ 143B-184 through 143B-185: Repealed by Session Laws 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1028, s. 28.
§§ 143B-186 through 143B-187: Transferred to §§ 143B-414, 143B-415 by Session Laws 1977, c. 872, s. 6.
§§ 143B-188 through 143B-190: Recodified as §§ 130A-131 through 130A-131.2 by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 179.
§§ 143B-191 through 143B-196: Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 822, s. 1.
§§ 143B-197 through 143B-201. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 504, s. 10.
§§ 143B-202 through 143B-203: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 181.
§§ 143B-204 through 143B-206: Recodified as §§ 130A-33.30 through 130A-33.32 by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 182(a).
§§ 143B-207 through 143B-208: Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 50, s. 7.
§ 143B-209. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 891, s. 10, effective January 1, 1984.
§§ 143B-210 through 143B-212. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 51, s. 7, effective July 1, 1981.
§§ 143B-213 through 143B-216.5B: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 533, s. 1.
§§ 143B-216.6 through 143B-216.7: Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 504, s. 13.
§§ 143B-216.8 through 143B-216.9: Recodified as §§ 130A-33.40, 130A-33.41 by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 186.
§§ 143B-216.10 through 143B-216.15: Recodified as §§ 143B-285.10 through 143B-285.15 by Session Laws 1989, c. 727, s. 189.
§§ 143B-216.16 through 143B-216.19. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.20: Recodified as G.S. 143A-48.1(a) by Session Laws 2002-126, s. 10.10D(a), effective October 1, 2002.
§ 143B-216.21: Recodified as G.S. 143A-48.1(b) by Session Laws 2002-126, s. 10.10D(a), effective October 1, 2002.
§ 143B-216.22: Recodified as G.S. 143A-48.1(c) by Session Laws 2002-126, s. 10.10D(a), effective October 1, 2002.
§ 143B-216.23: Recodified as G.S. 143A-48.1(d) by Session Laws 2002-126, s. 10.10D(a), effective October 1, 2002.
§§ 143B-216.24 through 143B-216.29. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.30. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply throughout this Part unless otherwise specified:
(1) "Council" means the Council for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(2) "Deaf" means the inability to hear and/or understand oral communication, with or without assistance of amplification devices.
(3) "Division" means the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(4) "Hard of hearing" means permanent hearing loss which is severe enough to necessitate the use of amplification devices to hear oral communication.
(5) "Ring signaling device" means a mechanism such as a flashing light which visually indicates that a communication is being received through a telephone line. This phrase also means mechanisms such as adjustable volume ringers and buzzers which audibly and loudly indicate an incoming telephone communication.
(6) "Speech impaired" means permanent loss of oral communication ability.
(7) "Telecommunications device" or "TDD" means a keyboard mechanism attached to or in place of a standard telephone by some coupling device, used to transmit or receive signals through telephone lines.
(8) "Volume control handset" means a telephone handset or other telephone listening device which has an adjustable control for increasing the volume of the sound being produced by the telephone receiving unit. (1989, c. 533, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).)
§ 143B-216.31. Council for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing - creation and duties.
There is hereby created the Council for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Council shall have duties including the following:
(1) To make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for cost-effective provision, coordination, and improvement of services;
(2) To create public awareness of the specific needs and abilities of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and to consider the need for new State programs concerning the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind;
(3) To advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during planning and implementation of services being provided to North Carolina citizens who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind with respect to the quality, extent, and scope of those services;
(4) To advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction regarding planning, implementation, and cost-effective coordination of State programs providing educational services for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind; and
(5) To respond to the request of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for advice or recommendations pertaining to any matter affecting deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind citizens of North Carolina. (1989, c. 533, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2003-343, s. 1.)
§ 143B-216.32. Council for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing - membership; quorum; compensation.
(a) The Council for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing shall consist of 28 members. Twenty members shall be members appointed by the Governor. Three members appointed by the Governor shall be persons who are deaf and three members shall be persons who are hard of hearing. One appointment shall be an educator who trains deaf education teachers and one appointment shall be an audiologist licensed under Article 22 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. Three appointments shall be parents of deaf or hard of hearing children including one parent of a student in a residential school; one parent of a student in a preschool program; and one parent of a student in a mainstream education program, with at least one parent coming from each region of the North Carolina schools for the deaf regions. One member appointed by the Governor shall be recommended by the President of the North Carolina Association of the Deaf; one member shall be recommended by the President of the North Carolina Deaf-Blind Associates; one member shall be recommended by the North Carolina Chapter of Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (SHHH); one member shall be recommended by the North Carolina Black Deaf Advocates (NCBDA); one member shall be a representative from a facility that performs cochlear implants; one member shall be recommended by the President of the North Carolina Pediatric Society; one member shall be recommended by the President of the North Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf; one member shall be recommended by a local education agency; and one member shall be recommended by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Two members shall be appointed from the House of Representatives by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and two members shall be appointed from the Senate by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint four members as follows: one from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, one from the Division of Aging, one from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, and one from the Division of Social Services.
(b) The terms of the initial members of the Council shall commence July 1, 1989. In his initial appointments, the Governor shall designate four members who shall serve terms of five years, four who shall serve terms of four years, four who shall serve terms of three years, and three who shall serve terms of two years. After the initial appointees' terms have expired, all members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No member shall serve more than two successive terms unless the member is an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Public Instruction representing his or her agency as a specialist in the field of service.
Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.
(c) The chairman of the Council shall be designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services from the Council members. The chairman shall hold this office for not more than four years.
(d) The Council shall meet quarterly and at other times at the call of the chairman. A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Council members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with G.S. 138-5.
(f) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide clerical and other assistance as needed. (1989, c. 533, s. 2; 1993, c. 551, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2001-424, s. 21.81(d); 2001-486, s. 2.14; 2003-343, s. 2; 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-216.33. Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing - creation, powers and duties.
(a) There is hereby created within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. The Division shall have the powers and duties including the following:
(1) To review existing programs for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing in the State, and make recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and to the Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction for improvements to such programs;
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 1999-237, s. 11.4(b).
(3) To provide a network of resource centers for local access to services such as interpreters, information and referral, telephone relay, and advocacy for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(4) To collect, study, maintain, publish and disseminate information relative to all aspects of deafness;
(5) To promote public awareness of the needs of, resources and opportunities available to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(6) To provide technical assistance to agencies and organizations in the development of services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(7) To administer the Telecommunications Program for the Deaf pursuant to G.S. 143B-216.34; and
(8) To provide training and skill development programming to enhance the competence of individuals who aspire to be licensed or who are currently licensed as interpreters or transliterators under Chapter 90D of the General Statutes.
(b) The Division shall function under the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services as provided in the Executive Organization Act of 1973 and shall perform such other duties as are assigned by the Secretary.
(c) The Department of Health and Human Services may receive monies from any source, including federal funds, gifts, grants and devises which shall be expended for the purposes designated in this Part. Gifts and devises received shall be deposited in a trust fund with the State Treasurer who shall hold them in trust in a separate account in the name of the Division. The cash balance of this account may be pooled for investment purposes, but investment earnings shall be credited pro rata to this participating account. Monies deposited with the State Treasurer in the trust fund account pursuant to this subsection, and investment earnings thereon, are available for expenditure without further authorization from the General Assembly. Such funds shall be administered by the Division under the direction of the director and fiscal officer of the Division and will be subject to audits normally conducted with the agency.
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules to implement this Part. (1989, c. 533, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 1999-237, s. 11.4(b); 2002-182, s. 5; 2003-56, s. 3; 2011-284, s. 100.)
§ 143B-216.34. Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing - temporary loan program established.
(a) There is established an assistive equipment loan program for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired to be developed, administered, and implemented by the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. The assistive equipment loan program supplements the telecommunications equipment distribution program established pursuant to G.S. 62-157.
(b) The Division shall develop rules for the distribution of the communications and alerting equipment and shall determine performance standards. The Division shall select equipment for distribution to qualifying recipients. The equipment discussed in this section shall be leased at no cost to qualifying recipients for a period of time up to and not exceeding two years. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the renewal of any lease previously executed with a qualified recipient. In addition, the Division shall provide consultative services and training to those individuals and organizations utilizing communications and alerting equipment pursuant to this section.
(c) The central communications office of each county sheriff's office shall purchase and continually operate at least one telecommunications device that is functionally equivalent in providing equal access to services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech impaired.
The central communications office of each police department and firefighting agency in municipalities with a population exceeding 250,000 persons shall purchase and continually operate at least two such devices.
(d) Each public safety office, health care facility (including hospitals and urgent care facilities), and the 911 emergency number system is required to obtain a telecommunications device that is functionally equivalent in providing equal access to services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired pursuant to this section and shall continually operate and staff the equipment during hours of operation, including up to 24 hours. (1989, c. 533, s. 2; 2007-149, s. 1; 2021-182, s. 3(j).)
§§ 143B-216.35 through 143B-216.39. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§§ 143B-216.40 through 143B-216.44: Repealed by Session Laws 2013-247, s. 1(c), effective July 3, 2013.
§§ 143B-216.45 through 143B-216.49. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.50. Department of Health and Human Services; office of the Internal Auditor.
(a) The office of Internal Auditor is established in the Department of Health and Human Services. The office of the Internal Auditor shall provide independent reviews and analyses of various functions and programs within the Department that will provide management information to promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency within the Department.
(b) It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Internal Auditor to:
(1) Advise in the development of performance measure, standards, and procedures for the evaluation of the Department;
(2) Assess the reliability and validity of performance measures and the information provided by the Department on performance measures and standards and make recommendations for improvement, if necessary;
(3) Review the actions taken by the Department of Health and Human Services to improve program performance and meet program standards and make recommendations for improvement, if necessary;
(4) Provide direction for, supervise, and coordinate audits, investigations, and management reviews relating to programs and operations of the Department;
(5) Conduct independent analysis of programs carried out or financed by the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of promoting economy and efficiency in the administration of, or preventing and detecting waste, management, misconduct, fraud and abuse in its programs and operations;
(6) Keep the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services informed concerning fraud, abuses, and deficiencies relating to programs and operations administered or financed by the Department of Health and Human Services, recommend corrective action concerning fraud, abuses, and deficiencies, and report on the progress made in implementing corrective action;
(7) Ensure effective coordination and cooperation between the State Auditor, federal auditors, and other governmental bodies with a view toward avoiding duplication; and
(8) Ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between audit, investigative, and other accountability activities.
(c) The Internal Auditor shall be appointed by the Secretary. The Internal Auditor shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation.
(d) The Internal Auditor shall report to an official designated by the Secretary.
(e) The Internal Auditor shall have access to any records, data, or other information of the Department the Internal Auditor believes necessary to carry out the Internal Auditor's duties. (1997-443, s. 12.21(c).)
§ 143B-216.51. Department of Health and Human Services office of the Internal Auditor; Department audits.
(a) To ensure that Department audits are performed in accordance with applicable auditing standards, the Internal Auditor shall possess the following qualifications:
(1) A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting, or with a major in business which includes five courses in accounting, and five years' experience as an internal auditor or independent postauditor, electronic data processing auditor, accountant, or any combination thereof. The experience shall, at a minimum, consist of audits of units of government or private business enterprises operating for profit or not for profit;
(2) A masters degree in accounting, business administration, or public administration from an accredited college or university and four years of experience as required in subdivision (1) of this subsection; or
(3) A certified public accountant license issued pursuant to law or a certified internal audit certificate issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors or earned by examination, and four years' experience as required in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
The Internal Auditor shall, to the extent both necessary and practicable, include on the Internal Auditor's staff individuals with electronic data processing auditing experience.
(b) In carrying out the auditing duties and responsibilities of this Part, the Internal Auditor shall review and evaluate internal controls necessary to ensure the fiscal accountability of the Department. The Internal Auditor shall conduct financial, compliance, electronic data processing, and performance audits of the Department and prepare audit reports of findings. The scope and assignment of the audits shall be determined by the Internal Auditor; however, the Secretary may at any time direct the Internal Auditor to perform an audit of a special program, function, or organizational unit. The performance of the audit shall be under the direction of the Internal Audit.
(c) Audits undertaken pursuant to this Part shall be conducted in accordance with auditing standards prescribed by the State Auditor. All audit reports issued by internal audit staff shall include a statement that the audit was conducted pursuant to these standards.
(d) The Internal Auditor shall maintain, for 10 years, a complete file of all audit reports and reports of other examinations, investigations, surveys, and reviews issued under the Internal Auditor's authority. Audit work papers and other evidence and related supportive material directly pertaining to the work of his office shall be retained according to an agreement between the Internal Auditor and State Archives. To promote cooperation and avoid unnecessary duplication of audit effort, audit work papers related to issued audit reports shall be, unless otherwise prohibited by law, made available for inspection by duly authorized representatives of the State and federal governments in connection with some matter officially before them. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, or upon subpoena issued by a duly authorized court or court official, audit work papers shall be kept confidential. Audit reports shall be public records to the extent that they do not include information which, under State laws, is confidential and exempt from Chapter 132 of the General Statutes or would compromise the security systems of the Department.
(e) The Internal Auditor shall submit the final report to the Secretary.
(f) The State Auditor shall review a sample of the Department's internal audit reports and related work papers when determined by the State Auditor that, when conducting audits, it would be efficient to consider the work of the Internal Auditor. If the State Auditor finds deficiencies in the work of the Internal Auditor, the State Auditor shall include a statement of these findings in the audit report of the Department. The office of the Internal Auditor will cause to be made an external quality control review at least once every three years by a qualified organization not affiliated with the office of the Internal Auditor. The external quality review should determine whether the Department's internal quality control system is in place and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance that established policies and procedures and applicable audit standards are being followed.
(g) The Internal Auditor shall monitor the implementation of the Department's response to any audit of the Department conducted by the State Auditor pursuant to law. No later than six months after the State Auditor publishes a report of the audit of the Department, the Internal Auditor shall report to the Secretary on the status of corrective actions taken. A copy of the report shall be filed with the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations.
(h) The Internal Auditor shall develop long-term and annual audit plans based on the findings of periodic risk assessments. The plan, where appropriate, should include postaudit samplings of payments and accounts. The plan shall show the individual audits to be conducted during each year and related resources to be devoted to the respective audits. The State Controller may utilize audits performed by the Internal Auditor. The plan shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. A copy of the approved plan shall be submitted to the State Auditor. (1997-443, s. 12.21(c).)
§ 143B-216.52. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.53. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.54. (Repealed) Department of Health and Human Services; Office of Program Evaluation Reporting and Accountability. (2015-241, s. 12A.3(a); repealed by 2021-180, s. 9B.4(b), effective July 1, 2021.)
§ 143B-216.55. (Repealed) Appointment, qualifications, and removal of OPERA Director. (2015-241, s. 12A.3(a); 2016-94, s. 12A.9; repealed by 2021-180, s. 9B.4(b), effective July 1, 2021.)
§ 143B-216.56. (Repealed) Duties of the Office of Program Evaluation Reporting and Accountability. (2015-241, s. 12A.3(a); repealed by 2021-180, s. 9B.4(b), effective July 1, 2021.)
§ 143B-216.57. (Repealed) Powers of the Office of Program Evaluation Reporting and Accountability. (2015-241, s. 12A.3(a); repealed by 2021-180, s. 9B.4(b), effective July 1, 2021.)
§ 143B-216.58. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.59. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.60. The Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force.
(a) The Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force is created in the Department of Health and Human Services.
(b) The Task Force shall have 27 members. The Governor shall appoint the Chair, and the Vice-Chair shall be elected by the Task Force. The Director of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Division of Health Benefits in the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Director of the Division of Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services, or their designees, shall be members of the Task Force. Appointments to the Task Force shall be made as follows:
(1) By the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as follows:
a. Three members of the Senate;
b. A heart attack survivor;
c. A local health director;
d. A certified health educator;
e. A hospital administrator; and
f. A representative of the North Carolina Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
(2) By the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:
a. Three members of the House of Representatives;
b. A stroke survivor;
c. A county commissioner;
d. A licensed dietitian/nutritionist;
e. A pharmacist; and
f. A registered nurse.
(3) By the Governor, as follows:
a. A practicing family physician, pediatrician, or internist;
b. A president or chief executive officer of a business upon recommendation of a North Carolina wellness council which is a member of the Wellness Councils of America;
c. A news director of a newspaper or television or radio station;
d. A volunteer of the North Carolina Affiliate of the American Heart Association;
e. A representative from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service;
f. A representative of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health; and
g. Two members at large.
(c) Each appointing authority shall assure insofar as possible that its appointees to the Task Force reflect the composition of the North Carolina population with regard to ethnic, racial, age, gender, and religious composition.
(d) The General Assembly and the Governor shall make their appointments to the Task Force not later than 30 days after the adjournment of the 1995 General Assembly, Regular Session 1995. A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled by the original appointing authority, using the criteria set out in this section for the original appointment.
(e) The Task Force shall meet not more than twice annually at the call of the Chair.
(f) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 12A.13, effective July 1, 2013.
(g) Members of the Task Force shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 120-3.1, 138-5 and 138-6, as applicable.
(h) A majority of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business.
(i) The Task Force may use funds allocated to it to establish two positions and for other expenditures needed to assist the Task Force in carrying out its duties.
(j) The Task Force has the following duties:
(1) To undertake a statistical and qualitative examination of the incidence of and causes of heart disease and stroke deaths and risks, including identification of subpopulations at highest risk for developing heart disease and stroke, and establish a profile of the heart disease and stroke burden in North Carolina.
(2) To publicize the profile of the heart disease and stroke burden and its preventability in North Carolina.
(3) To identify priority strategies which are effective in preventing and controlling risks for heart disease and stroke.
(4) To identify, examine limitations of, and recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly changes to existing laws, regulations, programs, services, and policies to enhance heart disease and stroke prevention by and for the people of North Carolina.
(5) To determine and recommend to the Governor and the General Assembly the funding and strategies needed to enact new or to modify existing laws, regulations, programs, services, and policies to enhance heart disease and stroke prevention by and for the people of North Carolina.
(6) To adopt and promote a statewide comprehensive Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Plan to the general public, State and local elected officials, various public and private organizations and associations, businesses and industries, agencies, potential funders, and other community resources.
(7) To identify and facilitate specific commitments to help implement the Plan from the entities listed in subdivision (6) above.
(8) To facilitate coordination of and communication among State and local agencies and organizations regarding current or future involvement in achieving the aims of the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Plan.
(9) To receive and consider reports and testimony from individuals, local health departments, community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations, and other public and private organizations statewide, to learn more about their contributions to heart disease and stroke prevention, and their ideas for improving heart disease and stroke prevention in North Carolina.
(10) Establish and maintain a Stroke Advisory Council, which shall advise the Task Force regarding the development of a statewide system of stroke care that shall include, among other items, a system for identifying and disseminating information about the location of primary stroke centers.
(k) Notwithstanding Section 11.57 of S.L. 1999-237, the Task Force shall submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly by June 30, 2003, and a report to each subsequent regular legislative session within one week of its convening. (1995-507, s. 26.9; 1997-443, ss. 11A-122, 11A-123; 2001-424, s. 21.95; 2002-126, s. 10.45; 2003-284, s. 10.33B; 2006-197, s. 1; 2013-360, s. 12A.13; 2019-81, s. 15(a).)
§§ 143B-216.61 through 143B-216.64: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.65. North Carolina Brain Injury Advisory Council - creation and duties.
There is established the North Carolina Brain Injury Advisory Council in the Department of Health and Human Services to review traumatic and other acquired brain injuries in North Carolina. The Council shall have duties including the following:
(1) Review how the term "traumatic brain injury" is defined by State and federal regulations and to determine whether changes should be made to the State definition to include "acquired brain injury" or other appropriate conditions.
(2) Promote interagency coordination among State agencies responsible for services and support of individuals that have traumatic brain injury.
(3) Study the needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury and their families.
(4) Make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the planning, development, funding, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide service delivery system.
(5) Promote and implement injury prevention strategies across the State. (2003-114, s. 1; 2009-361, s. 3.)
§ 143B-216.66. North Carolina Brain Injury Advisory Council - membership; quorum; compensation.
(a) The Council shall consist of 23 voting and 10 ex officio nonvoting members, appointed as follows:
(1) Three members by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as follows:
a. A representative of the North Carolina Medical Society or other organization with interest in brain injury prevention or treatment.
b. A nurse with expertise in trauma, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or emergency medicine.
c. One at-large member who shall be a veteran or family member of a veteran who has suffered a brain injury.
(2) Three members by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:
a. One at-large member who may have experience as a school nurse or rehabilitation specialist.
b. A representative of the North Carolina Hospital Association or other organization interested in brain injury prevention or treatment.
c. A physician with expertise in trauma, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, or emergency medicine.
(3) Fourteen members by the Governor, as follows:
a. Three survivors of brain injury, one each representing the eastern, central, and western regions of the State.
b. Four family members of persons with brain injury with consideration for geographic representation.
c. A brain injury service provider in the private sector.
d. The director of a local management entity of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
e. The Executive Director, or designee thereof, of North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
f. The Executive Director, or designee thereof, of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.
g. The Chair of the Board, or designee thereof, of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.
h. The Executive Director, or designee thereof, of the North Carolina Protection and Advocacy System.
i. One stroke survivor, as recommended by the American Heart Association.
(4) Nine ex officio members by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as follows:
a. One member from the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services.
b. One member from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
c. One member from the Council on Developmental Disabilities.
d. One member from the Division of Health Benefits.
e. Two members from the Division of Health Service Regulation.
f. One member from the Division of Social Services.
g. One member from the Office of Emergency Medical Services.
h. One member from the Division of Public Health.
(5) Two members by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, one of whom is ex officio, nonvoting, and employed with the Division of Exceptional Children.
(6) One member by the Commissioner of Insurance, or the Commissioner's designee.
(7) One member by the Secretary of Administration representing veterans affairs.
(b) The terms of the initial members of the Council shall commence October 1, 2003. In his initial appointments, the Governor shall designate four members who shall serve terms of four years, four members who shall serve terms of three years, and three members who shall serve terms of two years. After the initial appointees' terms have expired, all members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No member appointed by the Governor shall serve more than two successive terms.
Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. Terms for ex officio, nonvoting members do not expire.
(c) The initial chair of the Council shall be designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services from the Council members. The chair shall hold this office for not more than four years. Subsequent chairs will be elected by the Council.
(d) The Council shall meet quarterly and at other times at the call of the chair. A majority of voting members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Council members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with G.S. 138-5 and G.S. 138-6, as applicable.
(f) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide clerical and other assistance as needed. (2003-114, s. 1; 2007-182, s. 1; 2009-361, s. 3; 2019-81, s. 15(a); 2023-65, s. 5.2(b).)
§ 143B-216.67: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.68: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.69: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.70. Office of Policy and Planning.
(a) To promote coordinated policy development and strategic planning for the State's health and human services systems, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish an Office of Policy and Planning from existing resources across the Department. The Director of the Office of Policy and Planning shall report directly to the Secretary and shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) Coordinate the development of departmental policies, plans, and rules, in consultation with the Divisions of the Department.
(2) Development of a departmental process for the development and implementation of new policies, plans, and rules.
(3) Development of a departmental process for the review of existing policies, plans, and rules to ensure that departmental policies, plans, and rules are relevant.
(4) Coordination and review of all departmental policies before dissemination to ensure that all policies are well-coordinated within and across all programs.
(5) Implementation of ongoing strategic planning that integrates budget, personnel, and resources with the mission and operational goals of the Department.
(6) Review, disseminate, monitor, and evaluate best practice models.
(b) Under the direction of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Office of Policy and Planning shall have the authority to direct Divisions, offices, and programs within the Department to conduct periodic reviews of policies, plans, and rules and shall advise the Secretary when it is determined to be appropriate or necessary to modify, amend, and repeal departmental policies, plans, and rules. All policy and management positions within the Office of Policy and Planning are exempt positions as that term is defined in G.S. 126-5. (2005-276, s. 10.2.)
§ 143B-216.71: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.72: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.72A: Recodified as G.S. 143B-472.121 through 143B-472.123 by Session Laws 2009-446, s. 2(a).
§ 143B-216.72B: Recodified as G.S. 143B-472.121 through 143B-472.123 by Session Laws 2009-446, s. 2(a).
§ 143B-216.72C: Recodified as G.S. 143B-472.121 through 143B-472.123 by Session Laws 2009-446, s. 2(a).
§ 143B-216.73: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.74: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 143B-216.75: Repealed by Session Laws 2011-266, s. 1.40, effective July 1, 2011.
§ 143B-216.80. Division of Health Benefits - creation and organization.
(a) There is hereby established the Division of Health Benefits of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Director shall be the head of the Division of Health Benefits. Upon the elimination of the Division of Medical Assistance, the Division of Health Benefits shall be vested with all functions, powers, duties, obligations, and services previously vested in the Division of Medical Assistance. The Department of Health and Human Services shall have the powers and duties described in G.S. 108A-54(e) in addition to the powers and duties already vested in the Department.
(b) Although generally subject to the laws of this State, the following exemptions, limitations, and modifications apply to the Division of Health Benefits of the Department of Health and Human Services, notwithstanding any other provision of law:
(1) Employees of the Division of Health Benefits shall not be subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act, except as provided in G.S. 126-5(c1)(33).
(2) The Secretary may retain private legal counsel and is not subject to G.S. 114-2.3 or G.S. 147-17(a) through (c).
(3) The Division of Health Benefits' employment contracts offered pursuant to G.S. 108A-54(e)(2) are not subject to review and approval by the Office of State Human Resources.
(4) If the Secretary establishes alternative procedures for the review and approval of contracts, then the Division of Health Benefits is exempt from State contract review and approval requirements but still may choose to utilize the State contract review and approval procedures for particular contracts. (2015-245, s. 12(a); 2016-121, s. 2(g); 2017-57, s. 11H.17(b).)
§ 143B-216.85. Appointment; term of office; and removal of the Director of the Division of Health Benefits.
(a) Term. - The Director of the Division of Health Benefits shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years subject to confirmation by the General Assembly by joint resolution. The initial term of office for the Director of the Division of Health Benefits shall begin upon confirmation by the General Assembly and shall expire June 30, 2025. Thereafter, the term of office for the Director of the Division of Health Benefits shall be four years and shall commence on July 1 of the year in which the term for which the appointment is made.
(b) Appointment. - The Governor shall submit the name of the person to be appointed Director of the Division of Health Benefits to the General Assembly for confirmation by the General Assembly on or before May 1 of the year in which the term of the office for which the appointment is to be made expires. If the Governor fails to submit a name by May 1, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly shall submit a name of an appointee to the General Assembly on or before May 15 of the same year. The appointment shall then be made by enactment of a bill. The bill shall state the name of the person being appointed, the office to which the appointment is being made, the effective date of the appointment, the date of expiration of the term, the residence of the appointee, and that the appointment is made upon the joint recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Nothing precludes any member of the General Assembly from proposing an amendment to any bill making such an appointment. If there is no vacancy in the office of the Director, and a bill that would confirm the appointment of the person as Director fails a reading in either chamber of the General Assembly, then the Governor shall submit a new name within 30 days.
(c) Vacancy. - If a vacancy in the office of the Director occurs for any reason prior to the expiration of the Director's term of office, the Governor shall submit the name of the Director's successor to the General Assembly not later than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. If a vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor shall appoint an acting Director to serve the remainder of the unexpired term pending confirmation by the General Assembly. However, in no event shall an acting Director serve (i) for more than 12 months without General Assembly confirmation or (ii) after a bill that would confirm the appointment of the person as Director fails a reading in either chamber of the General Assembly. The successor appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve until the end of the unexpired term.
(d) Removal. - The Director of the Division of Health Benefits may be removed from office only by the Governor and solely for the grounds set forth in G.S. 143B-13(b), (c), and (d). (2015-245, s. 12(b).)