GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2019

SESSION LAW 2019-145

SENATE BILL 297

AN ACT to direct The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to assemble a research advisory panel to study and develop recommendations on strategies for implementation of a research program to determine whether any clusters of cancer incidents exist within the state.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory (Collaboratory) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shall assemble a research advisory panel (Panel) to discuss, review, and analyze statewide cancer data and develop a recommendation for the General Assembly for the best strategy or strategies for potential implementation by the State regarding effective and credible research program design to determine if, and where, statistically significant clusters of cancer incidents exist within North Carolina. In establishing the Panel, the Collaboratory shall consult with (i) the Department of Health and Human Services, (ii) the Department of Environmental Quality, (iii) the Gillings School of Global Public Health, the School of Medicine, and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, (iv) the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and (v) the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University to identify experts, including faculty members of institutions of higher education, health care providers, and health insurance providers, both within, and outside of, North Carolina to determine those who are qualified and willing to participate either on the Panel itself or as expert advisers to the Panel. The Panel shall have at least 10 members but no more than 30 members. The Collaboratory may use any monies currently available to it, including funds received through appropriations by the General Assembly, to support this study, including, but not limited to, travel‑related expenses for participants. The Collaboratory may submit draft recommendations from the Panel as early as December 31, 2019, and shall submit final recommendations from the Panel no later than April 30, 2020, to the General Assembly in accordance with G.S. 120‑29.5.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10^th day of July, 2019.

                                                                    s/  Ralph E. Hise

                                                                         Presiding Officer of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 1:46 p.m. this 19^th day of July, 2019