A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR the FIRST STEP FARM OF WNC, INC.
	Whereas, The First Step Farm operates the premier program of its kind in North Carolina, providing excellent care and opportunities for success for men and women with substance abuse problems; and
	Whereas, The First Step Farm also provides an excellent work component for men and women that helps enable their reentry into society; and
	Whereas, since 1999, The First Step Farm has operated under contract with the State to provide services for over six thousand resident days; and
	Whereas, The First Step Farm's most recent resident count has reached over twelve thousand, leaving a large number of resident days unpaid by the State; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, the sum of three hundred seventy‑one thousand three hundred twenty‑six dollars ($371,326) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year. These funds shall be allocated to The First Step Farm of WNC, Inc., to increase the number of resident days to eighty percent (80%) capacity.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.