GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 1066

Short Title:  Last Best Chance.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senator Perdue.

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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May 4, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION CENTER FOR DISRUPTIVE YOUTH WHO ARE AT RISK OF ENTERING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"ARTICLE 9B.
"Disruptive Youth Residential Education Center.
"§ 115C-150.5.  Plan; administration; rules.
The Department of Human Resources, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall develop a plan for the establishment of a residential center for disruptive youth ages 13 to 18 who have been adjudicated delinquent or who are at high risk of entering the juvenile justice system.  These youth are not 'children with special needs' within the meaning of G.S. 115C-109 unless they meet that definition because of some other condition.  For budgetary purposes, the center shall be located administratively in the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Resources.  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer this Article and shall provide technical assistance to the Department of Human Resources at that Department's request.
"§ 115C-150.6.  Admission of students.
The superintendent of a local school administrative unit, or the superintendent's representative, may refer to the Department of Human Resources for admission into the residential center students who:
(1)	Are 13 to 18 years old;
(2)	Have a history of disruptive behavior; and
(3)	Have been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined or who are at high risk of entering the juvenile justice system.
These students may include students who have been suspended or expelled from school.  No student shall be accepted for admission unless the parents or legal guardians are involved in the referral and consent in writing to the admission.  All students who are admitted to the center will be held to the highest standards of behavior and self-discipline while participating in a tightly structured, rigorous, and regimented education, work and rehabilitation program.
"§ 115C-150.7.  Purpose.
The emphasis of the residential center shall be discipline, education in the core academic areas, and work in order to prepare participants to take positive control of their lives and to become productive members of the community.  The purpose of the center shall be to:
(1)	Hold participants responsible for personal behavior;
(2)	Prepare participants to live honest, productive, and responsible lives;
(3)	Prepare participants to finish high school, obtain a GED, or complete vocational training;
(4)	Prevent alcohol and substance abuse;
(5)	Develop participants' self-discipline and pride; and
(6)	Teach participants positive leadership and teamwork skills."
Sec. 2.  The Division of Youth Services, Department of Human Resources, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, shall develop plans for implementation of this act, including construction of a facility and site selection, preferably utilizing land donated to the State.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Human Resources the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year for the purpose of program and facility planning, site selection, and site preparation for the residential center, and the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year for construction of the residential center.
Sec. 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.