GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1329*

Short Title:  Independent Living Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Wilkins; Crawford, Culpepper, Fox, Rogers, Watson, and Buchanan.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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May 23, 1996

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL INDEPENDENT LIVING REHABILITATION SERVICE OFFICES AND STAFF NECESSARY TO ENABLE THE INDEPENDENT LIVING REHABILITATION PROGRAM TO SERVE ALL THE COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Human Resources, the sum of four million one hundred eighty-seven thousand eight hundred thirty-five dollars ($4,187,835) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to provide start-up costs for the two additional Independent Living Rehabilitation Program Service Offices, in Raleigh and Elizabeth City, funding for staff in underfunded existing offices, and funding for oversight staff at the State level, needed to enable the Independent Living Rehabilitation Program to serve adequately all the counties of North Carolina.
The Independent Living Rehabilitation Program began operation in 1985 with two service offices, in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.  Eighty-five counties are now funded for services through the 14 existing service offices.  The two new offices will provide services to the remaining 15 counties and complete the statewide program.
The Independent Living Rehabilitation Program provides services to eligible individuals with severe disabilities, which services assist these individuals to manage their own lives better, become more independent, and assume more personal responsibility in their families, homes, and communities.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1996.