Legislative Update 7-16-08

The North Carolina General Assembly passed its budget for the 2008 Short Session last week.  Now that the budget has passed, all indications show that the legislators will adjourn the 2008 Short Session in the next few days.  Budget highlights include:  providing $5.2 million to help pay for 60 beds at Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh; preventing the Department of Health and Human Services from forcing local offices to merge before January 1, 2010; and requiring the Department to help to make it easier for state-paid patients to receive community treatment.  The budget also included a provision to require the state to develop a system to pay companies according to the qualifications and experience of the individuals delivering community support services. 

Several bills related to mental health issues were introduced this short session.  Click here for a full list and more. After adjournment, the General Assembly will reconvene for its 2009 long session in January.