A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the trust fund for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and bridge funding needs for the development and operation of ten mental health crisis centers throughout the state.
Whereas, it is State policy, enacted by the 2001 General Assembly as part of mental health system reform, to assist individuals with needs for mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services in ways consistent with the dignity, rights, and responsibilities of all North Carolina citizens; and
Whereas, State law provides that within available resources, it is the obligation of State and local government to provide these services through a delivery system designed to meet the needs of clients in the least restrictive, therapeutically most appropriate setting available; and
Whereas, State law further provides that it is the obligation of State and local government to provide community‑based services when such services are appropriate, unopposed by the affected individuals, and can be reasonably accommodated within available resources; and
Whereas, the system of care delivery system required through a memorandum of understanding among State agencies to coordinate and provide services, including development of community crisis services, has not been fully implemented, as evidenced by recent published reports of client experiences with the system and ensuing legal action by the client; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Trust Fund for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services and Bridge Funding Needs ("Trust Fund") the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year, and the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the 2006‑2007 fiscal year.  These funds shall be allocated from the Trust Fund for the establishment and operation of not fewer than 10 mental health crisis centers throughout the State.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, shall develop guidelines for the allocation of grant funds, which shall include the following:
(1)	A crisis center must offer crisis services for children and adults. 
(2)	Services shall be:
a.	Consistent with best‑practice standards as specified in the State Plan 2003;
b.	Available 24 hours/day, 365 days/year on a phone‑in, walk‑in, and outreach basis;
c.	Available for one- or two-week consecutive‑day client treatment for the purpose of addressing client crisis needs and avoiding long‑term care placement in group homes or institutions; and
d.	Offered in‑home and in‑community through crisis stabilization outreach.
(3)	Crisis centers may be freestanding or may be part of a hospital or mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services area authority, or county program.
SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, shall report to the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, and the Fiscal Research Division on the establishment and funding of mental health crisis centers authorized by this act.  A progress report shall be submitted not later than October 1, 2005, and a final report on April 1, 2006.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.