GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION BILL 887

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Sponsors: Senator Block.

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Referred to:  Rules.

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April 17, 1989

A JOINT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN BELONGING TO THE CLASS KNOWN AS "WILLIE M.".
Whereas, the 1985 General Assembly made legislative findings in Section 85 of Chapter 479 of the 1985 Session Laws that there was a need in North Carolina to provide appropriate treatment and education programs to children under the age of 18 who suffer from emotional, mental, or neurological handicaps accompanied by violent or assaultive behavior; and
Whereas, the children meeting that criteria have been identified as a class in the case initially named Willie M., et al. vs. Hunt, et al., and currently named Willie M., et al., vs. Martin, et al.; and
Whereas, the 1985 General Assembly recognized in its findings that these children have a need for a variety of services, in addition to those normally provided, that may include but are not limited to residential treatment services, educational services, and independent living arrangements; and
Whereas, the General Assembly has appropriated funds to the Department of Public Education and the Department of Human Resources to provide services to members of the Willie M. class, and those services are provided to approximately 1200 persons in this State; and
Whereas, the State has expended over one hundred forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) on the Willie M. program since its inception, and the cost of providing these services has increased by approximately fifty percent (50%) in the last four years; and
Whereas, it is difficult to predict the rate at which the cost of providing services to the Willie M. class will increase in the future;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
Section 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the progress being made in the State in meeting the special needs of "Willie M.”children, examine the escalating costs of funding "Willie M.”programs, and make recommendations as to ways in which those costs might be lowered while continuing to provide these children with appropriate education and treatment programs.
Sec. 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may make an interim report, including any recommendations, to the 1989 General Assembly, Regular Session 1990, and a final report to the 1991 General Assembly.
Sec. 3. This resolution is effective upon ratification.