GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1997
H	1
HOUSE BILL 976

Short Title:	Catawba Welfare Reform Pilot.	()	
Sponsors:	Representatives Berry; Brawley, Buchanan, Howard, Kiser, Starnes, and Thompson.	
Referred to:	Welform Reform, if favorable, Appropriations.	
April 17, 1997

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A WELFARE REFORM PILOT PROGRAM IN CATAWBA COUNTY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 
Section 1. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the Department of Human Resources shall designate Catawba County as a pilot county for the purpose of conducting a demonstration welfare reform program for persons and families in Catawba County receiving public assistance. Immediately upon the ratification of this act, the Department shall seek all federal waivers necessary to allow this demonstration program. To the extent that this act or the program established pursuant to it conflicts with any State law, the program supersedes that law.
Section 2. Catawba County shall develop and implement a program that provides assistance to needy families with, or expecting, children and provides parents with job preparation, work, and support services to enable them to leave welfare and become self‑sufficient. Catawba County shall develop and implement the program in such a way to ensure that the recipients' due process and equal protection rights are guaranteed.
Section 3. This act shall be funded by Catawba County using the federal and State funding allocated to Catawba County for public assistance.
Section 4. The Department of Human Resources shall evaluate Catawba County's Welfare Reform Demonstration Project and report to the General Assembly on or before March 1, 1999.
Section 5. This act becomes effective July 1, 1997, and expires on July 1, 1999.