A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO STUDY PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE BY HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Commission on Prescription Drug Abuse by Students. The purpose of the Commission is to study prescription drug abuse among high school and college students in the State and to make recommendations to curtail or reduce the occurrences.
SECTION 1.(b)  The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed as follows:
(1)	Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to include four members of the House of Representatives, one person who is a licensed psychiatrist and one person who has experience as a drug abuse counselor.
(2)	Six members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to include four members of the Senate, one person who is a licensed psychologist and one member who is a high school guidance counselor.
(3)	The President of The University of North Carolina or the President's designee.
(4)	The President of the North Carolina Community College System or the President's designee.
(5)	The Chairman of the State Board of Education or the Chairman's designee.
Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled by the appointing authority. A quorum of the Commission shall consist of nine members.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint a cochair for the Commission. The Commission may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs.
The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from the records, or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
The Commission may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services as provided by G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 1.(c)  Purpose. – The Commission shall study the following:
(1)	The prevalence of prescription drug abuse by students on college campuses and in high schools.
(2)	The effects of prescription drug abuse on college and high school students.
(3)	Effective strategies for reducing or eliminating prescription drug abuse by college and high school students.
(4)	Any other matters related to prescription drug abuse by students the Commission deems necessary.
SECTION 1.(d)  Staff. – Upon approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Commission. Clerical staff shall be furnished to the Commission through the offices of the House of Representatives and Senate Supervisors of Clerks.
SECTION 1.(e)  Meeting location. – The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or Legislative Office Building upon the approval of the Legislative Services Commission.
SECTION 1.(f)  Expenses of members. – Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances at the rate established in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, and 138‑6, as applicable.
SECTION 1.(g)  Report. – The Commission shall submit a final report to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly. The report shall contain the Commission's findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals. The Commission shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the convening of the 2014 Regular Session, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.