A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT DIRECTING THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services TO STUDY integration of care for children with multiple system service NEEDS.
Whereas, current governmental services to children with multiple service needs are characterized by duplicated and often conflicting assessments, barriers to timely and appropriate access to services, and lack of satisfactory outcomes; and
Whereas, individual service agencies have missions that differ from one another and these differences inhibit meaningful interagency collaboration and appropriate access to services; and
Whereas, agencies serve children that meet the individual agency's eligibility criteria, the problem of appropriate access is most acute with children who have multiple problems but are denied services by one or more agencies; and
Whereas, new models have emerged for implementing effective service delivery, including blended funding, interagency case management, lead agency delivery, and joint purchasing; and
Whereas, North Carolina has not revamped its approaches to children with multisystem involvement beyond interagency planning, although some local entities have developed innovative approaches; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services ("Oversight Committee") shall study issues pertaining to the integration of care for children with multiple system service needs.  In conducting the study, the Oversight Committee shall do the following:
(1)	Study state‑of‑the‑art approaches to services to children with multiple system service needs as the basis of reform in North Carolina.
(2)	Survey and analyze evidence‑based best practices in North Carolina and elsewhere for potential systemwide adoption.
(3)	Identify barriers to access for developing a uniform access process to implement a "no wrong door" policy such that children and families may enter any service access point but will be afforded seamless access to all necessary services.
(4)	Recommend changes to North Carolina service systems involving mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services, social services, education services, juvenile justice, and other related service systems that will promote meaningful and effective interagency collaboration and satisfactory outcomes for children and families.
(5)	Provide estimates on the fiscal impact of proposed changes to the service systems.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Oversight Committee may hire a consultant and may establish an advisory committee to work with the consultant in conducting the study.  The Cochairs of the Oversight Committee may appoint the members of the advisory committee.  Membership on the advisory committee shall include representatives of the service systems involved and consumers or other members of the public at large. The Oversight Committee shall determine the extent and scope of the study in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and shall establish interim and final reporting time lines for the consultant's findings and recommendations.  
SECTION 1.(c)   With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist in the work of the Oversight Committee and its advisory committee.  With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Oversight Committee and its advisory committee may hold its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(d)  The Oversight Committee may submit a progress report on the results of the study, including recommended legislation, to the 2003 General Assembly, Regular Session 2004, upon its reconvening, and shall report on the study, including recommended legislation, to the 2005 General Assembly, upon its convening. All reports shall be filed with the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Librarian.  The Oversight Committee shall provide copies of its reports to system entities such as social services, juvenile justice, education, and other appropriate entities.
SECTION 1.(e)   Members of the Oversight Committee and its advisory committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 1.(f)   All State departments and agencies shall cooperate with the Oversight Committee and its advisory committee  and, upon request, shall furnish to the Oversight Committee and its staff any information in their possession or available to them.
SECTION 2.  From funds appropriated to the General Assembly, the Legislative Services Commission shall allocate funds for the expenses of the Oversight Committee, including expenses of advisory committee members and consultant costs.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.