A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to require the department of health and human services to study and report on a revised process for collecting data to develop a waiting list of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as recommended by the joint legislative oversight committee on mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  By September 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) shall study and submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services on a revised process for collecting data to develop a waiting list of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are waiting for specific services. The revised process shall ensure all of the following:
(1)	A simple, nonduplicated count of children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities across the State who are waiting for federally and State‑funded services.
(2)	A research‑based waiting list supported by data that accurately reflects the number of individuals waiting for categories of services currently available in this State.
(3)	Data showing the number of individuals who are potentially eligible to receive services under the CAP‑MR/DD Waiver.
SECTION 1.(b)  Beginning September 30, 2012, and annually thereafter, the Department shall submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services on the waiting list data collected from each local management entity.  The report shall include (i) an analysis of any service gaps revealed by the data, broken down by geographic location, age, and disability and (ii) plans to address these service gaps.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.