GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1762

Short Title:  State Act for the Disabled.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives H. Hunter; Bowman, Gottovi, McLawhorn, and J. Preston.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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May 26, 1994

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES IN ORDER TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ISSUES CONCERNING AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES AND TO ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEDERAL AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 9 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 29.
"State Americans with Disabilities Initiative.
"§ 143B-426.50.  Office of Americans with Disabilities created.
The Office of Americans with Disabilities is created within the Department of Administration for the purpose of:
(1)	Creating an awareness of disability issues, including those issues addressed in the federal American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et. seq., as amended, in the public, government, business, and disability communities.
(2)	Assisting in the implementation of the ADA.
"§ 143B-426.51.  Duties of the Office of Americans with Disabilities.
The Office of Americans with Disabilities shall:
(1)	Staff and serve as a resource to the State ADA Interagency Coordinating Committee established pursuant to Governor's Executive Order Number 15 of May 20, 1993, 8 N.C. Reg. 456 (1993), for the purpose of assisting and ensuring the implementation of the ADA throughout State government.
(2)	Provide technical assistance to State agencies regarding agency obligations under the ADA, which obligations include  assisting State agencies in implementing their self-evaluations and transitions plans.
(3)	Serve as a resource to citizens with disabilities regarding the ADA.
(4)	Serve as a resource to the private sector as it seeks to comply with the ADA.
(5)	Serve as a resource to the Office of the Governor regarding the ADA.
(6)	Encourage and, where applicable, administer pilot and demonstration projects undertaken by private, nonprofit entities to the end of promoting an understanding and awareness of the ADA that may reduce litigation."
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1994-95 fiscal year to be allocated as follows:
(1)	$85,000 shall be used to implement Section 1 of this act.
(2)	$40,000 shall be used for training materials and instruction for demonstration projects, workshops, seminars, and other education forums to provide instruction to and to increase the awareness of persons with disabilities, their families, and government agencies.
(3)	$75,000 shall be used by Tri-County Industries, Inc., to conduct a 12-month demonstration project for the private sector.  This demonstration project shall relate the Workers' Compensation Act to the ADA and shall include workshops conducted throughout the State and held in conjunction with local disability organizations and such existing organizations as the North Carolina Industrial Commission and the Department of Insurance.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1994.