GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

S	1 

SENATE BILL 457

Short Title:  Allied Health Program/Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Warren, Hartsell, Smith, and Winner.

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Referred to:  Appropriations

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March 22, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO ESTABLISH NEW DEGREE PROGRAMS AND TO EXPAND EXISTING DEGREE PROGRAMS IN CERTAIN ALLIED HEALTH FIELDS AT VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Whereas, there is clear evidence that North Carolina is experiencing a critical shortage of personnel in various allied health fields, especially in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology; and
Whereas, there is also a disproportionate underrepresentation of minority allied health professionals as compared with the State's general population; and
Whereas, the demand for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language services, which is expected to continue in the future, has increased over the past decade as the population has aged and as children and adults with disabilities have achieved greater eligibility for rehabilitative services; and
Whereas, these shortages can be reversed by strengthening and expanding existing educational programs in the university and community college systems; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of two million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($2,250,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and three million three hundred thousand dollars ($3,300,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to (1) expand and strengthen existing programs in various allied health fields, especially in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology, in order to increase productivity and to improve quality, and (2) accelerate the initiation of new allied health programs recently authorized for planning or establishment.
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of six million dollars ($6,000,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of seven million six hundred thousand dollars ($7,600,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to allow the Area Health Education Centers Program to expand and develop new programs to train students in the allied health field.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to create a new campus-based health careers center at Fayetteville State University, which will provide student exposure and enrichment in the health professions and will ultimately increase the number of health practitioners in an area of the State currently underserved by health care services.
Sec. 4.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Community Colleges the sum of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year to establish new allied health programs.
Sec. 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.