H1043 - 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act. (SL 2020-4)

Overview: Section 3.3 of S.L. 2020-4, as may have been amended by Section 3 of S.L. 2020-32, Section 4 of S.L. 2020-49, Section 1.1(d) of S.L. 2020-80, Section 3B(b) of S.L. 2020-88, and Section 4.9(a) of S.L. 2020-91, is amended by Section 1.2 of S.L. 2020-97 to add a new subdivision (30a) that provides $20 million to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services, for facilities licensed to accept State-County Special Assistance.

The funds must be used to provide a temporary financial assistance in the form of a monthly payment to these facilities to offset the increased costs of service residents who are recipients of State-County Special Assistance during the COVID-19 emergency. For the period August 1, 2020 and ending December 30, 2020, the amount of the monthly payment authorized must be equal to $250.00 per month for each resident who is a recipient of State-County Special Assistance. The DSS must terminate all monthly payments pursuant to this subdivision on the earlier of December 30, 2020, or when funds are depleted.

Nothing in this subdivision can be construed as an obligation by the General Assembly to appropriate funds for the purpose of this subdivision, or as an entitlement by any facility, resident of a facility, or other person to receive financial assistance under this subdivision. The following definitions apply:

• Facility licensed to accept State-County Special Assistance payments. – Any residential care facility that is (i) licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services and (ii) authorized to accept State-County Special Assistance payments from its residents.
• State-County Special Assistance. – The program authorized by G.S. 108A-40.

This subdivision became effective September 4, 2020.

Note: Also see summary of Section 3.3(30) of S.L. 2020-4,which pertains to State-County Special Assistance funds.