2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 27 - The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

Article 27.

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee On Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

§ 120‑240.  Creation and membership of Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

(a)       Establishment; Definition. – There is established the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.

(b)       Membership. – The Committee shall consist of 16 members, as follows:

(1)       Eight members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as follows:

a.         At least two members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

b.         The chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Human Resources.

c.         At least two members of the minority party.

(2)       Eight members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:

a.         At least two members of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.

b.         The cochairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

c.         At least two members of the minority party.

(c)       Terms. – Terms on the Committee are for two years and begin on the convening of the General Assembly in each odd‑numbered year, except the terms of the initial members, which begin on appointment and end on the day of the convening of the 2001 General Assembly. Members may complete a term of service on the Committee even if they do not seek reelection or are not reelected to the General Assembly, but resignation or removal from service in the General Assembly constitutes resignation or removal from service on the Committee.

A member continues to serve until the member's successor is appointed. A vacancy shall be filled within 30 days by the officer who made the original appointment. (2000‑83, s. 2.)

 

§ 120‑241.  Purpose of Committee.

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall examine, on a continuing basis, systemwide issues affecting the development, financing, administration, and delivery of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services, including issues relating to the governance, accountability, and quality of services delivered. The Committee shall make ongoing recommendations to the General Assembly on ways to improve the quality and delivery of services and to maintain a high level of effectiveness and efficiency in system administration at the State and local levels. In conducting its examination, the Committee shall study the budget, programs, administrative organization, and policies of the Department of Health and Human Services to determine ways in which the General Assembly may encourage improvement in mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services provided to North Carolinians. (2000‑83, s. 2.)

 

§ 120‑242.  Organization of Committee.

(a)       The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each designate a cochair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. The Committee shall meet at least once a quarter and may meet at other times upon the joint call of the cochairs.

(b)       A quorum of the Committee is eight members. No action may be taken except by a majority vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. While in the discharge of its official duties, the Committee has the powers of a joint committee under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4.

(c)       Members of the Committee receive subsistence and travel expenses as provided in G.S. 120‑3.1. The Committee may contract for consultants or hire employees in accordance with G.S. 120‑32.02. The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee 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 Committee. The expenses for clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. (2000‑83, s. 2.)

 

§ 120‑243.  Reports to Committee.

Whenever the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, is required by law to report to the General Assembly or to any of its permanent committees or subcommittees on matters affecting mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services, the Department shall transmit a copy of the report to the cochairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. (2003‑58, s. 4.)

 

§ 120‑244.  Reserved for future codification purposes.