GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 142*

Short Title:  Social Services Programs.	(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 ESTABLISH AN INFORMATION PROGRAM REGARDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS, TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO TARGET LOW-INCOME PERSONS FOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND TO CREATE A POSITION TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Department of Human Resources shall establish a program to inform public and private agencies, community groups, and interested persons about public assistance and social services programs, including AFDC, Medical Assistance, Food Stamps, and programs designed to address infant mortality. The Department shall develop a referral list of public and private agencies, community groups, and interested persons who serve low-income people. The Department shall inform these agencies and persons and the general public about public assistance and social services programs and changes in the law which affect client eligibility or the extent of services under the programs. The Department shall develop and distribute informational materials, such as public service announcements, brochures, pamphlets, posters, and correspondence.
Sec. 2. The Department of Human Resources shall develop and implement an information and referral plan targeted to low-income persons. The plan may include identification of low-income persons who could be assisted by social services and public assistance programs and development of community educational materials, such as pamphlets, brochures, posters, and public service announcements explaining public assistance and social services programs, changes in eligibility and the extent of services. The community education materials shall be easily understandable by persons reading on a fourth grade level.
Sec. 3. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of one hundred sixteen thousand one hundred eighty-four dollars ($116,184) for the 1989-90 fiscal year and one hundred six thousand ninety-one dollars ($106,091) for the 1990-91 fiscal year to fund a position of Public Information Officer and to provide the clerical and material support within the Department to implement the provisions of this act.
Sec. 4. This act shall become effective July 1, 1989.