GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

H                                                                                                                                                   2

HOUSE BILL 738

Committee Substitute Favorable 4/15/09

Short Title:        IOM Study Mental Health Services for Veterans.	(Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:

March 24, 2009

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to direct the institute of medicine to convene a task force to study the provision of state mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services to current and former members of the armed forces of the united states and north carolina national guard and their families, as recommended by the joint study committee on military and veterans' affairs and by the joint legislative oversight committee on mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) shall convene a Task Force to study the adequacy of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services funded with Medicaid funds and with State funds that are currently available to active, reserve, and National Guard members of the military, veterans of the military, and their families, and the need for increased State services to these individuals.

SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall cooperate with NCIOM and the Task Force and provide the data necessary for the Task Force to conduct its study.

SECTION 3.  The membership of the Task Force shall include members of the North Carolina General Assembly.  Senate members shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. House members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Members of the General Assembly serving on the Task Force shall be entitled to receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances as provided by G.S. 120‑3.1.

SECTION 4.  NCIOM shall report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services on or before the convening of the 2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly.

SECTION 5.  This act is effective when it becomes law.