GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	2 

HOUSE BILL 141*
Second Edition Engrossed 3/22/89

Short Title:  Social Services Plan.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Colton, Hardaway, Holt, Nye, Woodard; and S. Thompson.
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Referred to:  Human Resources.
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February 2, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A SOCIAL SERVICES PLAN TO ENSURE THE UNIFORM AVAILABILITY OF CORE SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO THE CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1. The Department of Human Resources, in consultation and cooperation with other appropriate agencies and groups, shall develop a Social Services Plan which shall include at least the following:
(1)  A definition of a core of social services that shall be provided in every county;
(2)  Cost estimates and a plan and timetable for assuring the availability of the core of services in each county;
(3)  Minimum standards for the provision of core services and public assistance programs, including staffing standards, caseload standards, training standards, and facilities standards;
(4)  State and county responsibilities for the financing of social services, public assistance benefits, program administration costs, physical facilities, and staff training;
	(5)  Strengthened mechanisms for State supervision and enforcement of program standards; and
(6)  A plan for allocation of the State's equalizing payment that assists counties with the burden of payments for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children.  This plan shall include several options for allocation within the funds currently budgeted for this purpose.  The allocation proposals shall include a method for distributing funds to counties whose per capita county costs exceed the statewide median per capita cost, and a method for distributing funds to 25 counties with the highest per capita costs in the State.
Sec. 2. In carrying out its responsibilities under this act, the Department of Human Resources shall consult, on a systematic basis through a process designed by the Department, with local and State governmental agencies and boards and with public and private agencies and organizations.
Sec. 3. The Department of Human Resources shall report periodically on the Plan required by this act to the Social Services Study Commission, if that Commission is reauthorized. The Department shall submit the final Plan to the General Assembly by the convening of the 1990 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Sec. 4. This act is effective upon ratification.