NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1979 SESSION

CHAPTER 992
HOUSE BILL 907

AN ACT TO CREATE THE SOCIAL SERVICES STUDY COMMISSION.

Whereas, the General Assembly does not have available an up-to-date, in-depth study of the Social Services programs, and the needs of the State; and
Whereas, the Division of Social Services of the Department of Human Resources has made considerable progress in the development of the Social Services program in North Carolina, and now administers a wide range of financial assistance and service programs in the State; and
Whereas, the State cannot render to its citizens the kind of Social Services program needed or provide for citizens' needs without an in-depth study of the present services provided, the impact of the Welfare Reform proposal, and the current unmet needs of the citizens of the State; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby created the Social Services Study Commission. (Hereinafter "Study Commission")
Sec. 2.  The purposes of this Study Commission are:
(1)	to gather and study Federal and State Statutes and Regulations governing and relating to Social Services and Public Assistance in North Carolina;
(2)	to define State and county responsibilities in Social Services and Public Assistance Programs as they relate to:
a.	administration,
b.	financing,
c.	relationships between State and counties;
(3)	to review trends of changes that have taken place in the administration and funding of Social Service and Public Assistance programs in North Carolina in the past eight years as to:
a.	impact on county departments,
b.	impact on State agency,
c.	impact on recipients,
d.	relationship changes that have taken place between State and counties;
(4)	to record the influences and /or effects of public policies and programs on families receiving services funded with State and federal monies; and
(5)	to review the structure of human service delivery and make recommendations which would lead to a coordinated human service delivery system with its focus primarily on the family as a unit. Emphasis would be placed on strengthening and enriching the family unit, thereby, insofar as possible, preventing further breakdown.
Sec. 3.  On or before May 1, 1980, the Study Commission shall file with the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and officials of agencies affected, a preliminary written report summarizing the information obtained in the course of its inquiry. The report shall set forth the commission's findings, conclusions, and recommendations concerning such administrative action and legislation as the Study Commission deems the public interest to require. If legislation is recommended, the Study Commission shall prepare and submit with its report appropriate bills. The Study Commission shall file a final report with the Governor, General Assembly, and officials of Agencies affected no later than January 1, 1981.
Sec. 4.  The Study Commission shall consist of 12 members as follows: four members appointed by the Governor to include representation from county social services, private social agency, county commissioners and consumers as recipient of Social Services; four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from that body, four members appointed by the President of the Senate from that body.
Sec. 5.  If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Study Commission, it shall be filled by action of the person that appointed the former member who is to be replaced, and the person then appointed shall serve for the remainder of the term of the member whom he or she succeeds.
Sec. 6.  The members of the Study Commission shall be appointed by July 1, 1979, and shall serve until the termination of the Study Commission. The Study Commission at its first meeting shall elect a chairperson from its membership.
Sec. 7.  The Study Commission may meet in the State Legislative Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
Sec. 8.  Upon the request of the Commission, every State or local department or agency shall provide the Commission with any information in its possession that the Commission deems pertinent to its inquiry.
Sec. 9.  Legislator members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set out in G.S. 120-3.1.
Sec. 10.  Members of the Commission who are not officers or employees of the State shall receive compensation and reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses at the rates specified in G.S. 138-5.
Sec. 11.  Members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the State shall receive reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses at the rates set out in G.S. 138‑6.
Sec. 12.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Social Services Study Commission for fiscal year 1979-80 the sum of eight thousand dollars ($8,000), and for fiscal year 1980-81 the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) to carry out the purposes of this act. The Legislative Disbursing Officer shall be responsible for disbursing the funds. Any unused funds shall revert to the General Fund.
Sec. 13.  This act shall become effective on July 1, 1979.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 8th day of June, 1979.