GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 417

Short Title:  Funds/GACPD/Area Advocacy Centers.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Russell; J. Brown, Buchanan, Culp, Cummings, Hurley, McMahan, Preston, Thompson, and Watson.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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March 9, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR AREA ADVOCACY CENTERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADVOCACY COUNCIL FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
Whereas, the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities (GACPD) is the federally mandated and State-designated agency responsible for a statewide program of protection and advocacy in accordance with the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the federal Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act, and State law requirements set out in G.S. 143B-403.1; and
Whereas, GACPD has provided services to all 100 counties of North Carolina through four regional offices located in the State's four psychiatric hospitals; and
Whereas, due to space needs, budget constraints, and efficient running of the psychiatric facilities, the Department of Human Resources has requested GACPD to vacate most of its offices in the State's psychiatric hospitals by July 1, 1995; and
Whereas, citizens of North Carolina with disabilities may be best served from continued local advocacy by the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities in the four regional areas of west, east, north central, and south central North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Administration the sum of ninety-nine thousand five hundred dollars ($99,500) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of ninety-five thousand dollars ($95,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for the Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities.  Funds appropriated for the 1995-96 fiscal year shall be used to relocate to new area offices and for rent, utilities, and telephone expenses.  Funds appropriated for the 1996-97 fiscal year shall be used for rent and maintenance of the area advocacy centers.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.