GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 795

Short Title:  Hepatitis B Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Alexander; Adams, Barnes, Beall, Capps, Church, Dickson, Fox, Gamble, Hightower, Hill, R. Hunter, Hurley, Justus, Lee, Luebke, Michaux, Oldham, Richardson, Sutton, Tolson, Warner, Watson, and G. Wilson.

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Referred to:  Appropriations, Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources.

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April 10, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE HEPATITIS B VACCINE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANTS.
Whereas, nationally, hepatitis B infection affects 300,000 people annually; and
Whereas, over 1,200 North Carolinians are infected with acute and chronic hepatitis B disease annually; and
Whereas, approximately 20 North Carolinians, annually, die from complications resulting from hepatitis B infection; and
Whereas, the highest number of hepatitis B cases in North Carolina occur in adolescents and young adults; and
Whereas, the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the North Carolina Pediatric Society, and the North Carolina Medical Society recommend the universal immunization of adolescents with hepatitis B vaccine; and
Whereas, immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective means of preventing hepatitis B infection and its consequences; and
Whereas, the economic and public health of North Carolina depends on the health and well-being of its young people; 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 one million three hundred ninety-four thousand dollars ($1,394,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year, and the sum of one million four hundred thirty-four thousand dollars ($1,434,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for the purchase of hepatitis B vaccine for administration to high school entrants.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.