GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 497

Short Title:  Public Health Salary Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Barnhill; Black, Colton, Dickson, Easterling, Esposito, Fitch, Fussell, Green, Greenwood, H. Hunter, Isenhower, Jeralds, Wainwright, and Woodard.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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April 1, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOR ALLOCATION TO ELIGIBLE COUNTIES TO INCREASE SALARY RANGES OF CERTAIN PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS.
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes that the accomplishment of its public health mission depends in large part upon the employment of well qualified and dedicated public health employees in local health departments; and
Whereas, limited local resources and competition from private sector employment have seriously eroded the capability of local health departments to recruit and retain qualified public health personnel; and
Whereas, vacancies in critical public health employment positions due, in part, to private sector competition have reduced the efficiency and effectiveness of local health departments in delivering State-mandated public health services to local communities; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources the sum of $1,937,322 for the 1991-92 fiscal year and the sum of $1,937,322 for the 1992-93 fiscal year for allocation to eligible counties as incentive funds to increase the salary ranges and related fringe benefits for public health directors, public health nurses, health educators, and environmental specialists.  Counties eligible for funds under this act are those who apply for such funds to the Department and whose salary ranges as of July 1, 1990, for public health directors, public health nurses, health educators, or environmental specialists are below ninety percent (90%) of the State recommended salary range for those positions.  Counties that are part of a district health department may apply for incentive funds provided that all counties comprising a district health department apply jointly for funds to the Department.  The Department shall allocate sufficient funds to each eligible county to raise the salary range for public health director, public health nurse, health educator, or environmental specialist positions, as appropriate, to at least ninety percent (90%) of the State recommended salary range.  Counties may phase-in the salary range increase over the 1991-93 biennium.  Funds allocated to counties for public health salary incentives under this act shall be used to supplement and not supplant local funds allocated for public health services.
Sec. 2.  The Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources shall establish guidelines for administering salary incentive funds appropriated under this act. Of the funds appropriated in Section 2 of this act, the Department may use up to $33,000 in each fiscal year for administrative costs.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1991.