AN ACT to establish the joint legislative study commission on the service needs of individuals with traumatic brain injury.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is created the Joint Legislative Study Commission on the Service Needs of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The purpose of the Commission is to study and make recommendations about the service needs of individuals with TBI.
SECTION 2.  The Commission shall consist of 19 members as follows:
(1)	Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives with the following qualifications:
a.	Three members of the House of Representatives.
b.	One licensed physician with experience assessing and treating adults who have suffered TBI.
c.	One neuropsychologist with experience assessing and treating individuals with TBI.
d.	One adult survivor of TBI.
(2)	Six members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate with the following qualifications:
a.	Three members of the Senate.
b.	One operator of a rehabilitation facility for adults with TBI.
c.	One representative of the Veterans Administration with knowledge and experience in the range of TBI services available to members of the military and veterans.
d.	One parent of a child survivor of TBI.
(3)	The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Secretary's designee.
(4)	The Director of the Division of Medical Assistance, or the Director's designee.
(5)	The Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, or the Director's designee.
(6)	The Executive Director of the North Carolina Brain Injury Council, or the Executive Director's designee.
(7)	The Chair of the North Carolina Brain Injury Council, or the Chair's designee.
(8)	The Executive Director of Community Care of North Carolina, or the Executive Director's designee.
(9)	One Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a local management entity that has been approved to operate the 1915(b)/(c) Medicaid Waiver, who is currently managing services for children and adults with TBI, or the CEO's designee, appointed jointly by the cochairs of the Commission.
SECTION 3.  The Commission shall have two cochairs, one designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate from among their respective appointees. The Commission shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the total membership of the Commission.
SECTION 4.  The Commission shall study all of the following issues:
(1)	Existing TBI services and any deficiencies in service array, quality of services, accessibility, and availability of services across each age group of persons with TBI regardless of the age at which the trauma occurred.
(2)	Existing TBI‑specific service definitions for children and adults who receive services through federally funded programs, including Medicaid, federal block grants, and the Veterans Administration; through State‑funded programs, including the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund; through county‑funded programs; and through other funding sources, as well as the need for additional or revised service definitions to meet the specific needs of those with TBI.
(3)	Current reimbursement rates tied to settings that treat adults with TBI, and the adequacy of these reimbursement rates.
(4)	Current accessibility to TBI services, service information, educational materials, and family resources; and any deficiencies that need to be addressed.
(5)	Current status of TBI‑specific screening, assessment, triage, and service referrals for children, adults, and veterans; and any deficiencies that need to be addressed.
(6)	This State's current organizational model for providing comprehensive needs assessment, information management, policy development, service delivery, monitoring, and quality assurance for children and adults with TBI as compared to TBI organizational structures in other states; and specific organizational models to manage services for persons with TBI that are well coordinated for all citizens, including veterans.
(7)	Any other matters related to TBI services for children, adults, veterans, and their families.
SECTION 5.  Members of the Commission shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. The Commission, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Commission may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
With approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional staff to assist the Commission in its work. Upon the direction of the Legislative Services Commission, the Supervisors of Clerks of the Senate and of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Commission. The expenses for clerical employees shall be borne by the Commission. The Commission may contract for consultants or hire employees in accordance with G.S. 120‑32.02.
SECTION 6.  The Commission shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly. The Commission shall terminate upon the filing of its final report or upon the convening of the 2014 Regular Session, whichever occurs first.
SECTION 7.  This act is effective when it becomes law.