A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO THE Department of Health and Human Services FOR THE COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FOR MENTALLY RETARDED AND DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED PERSONS (CAP‑MR/DD) AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW METHODS OF IMPROVING THE PROGRAM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) for the 2002‑2003 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to continue services and resume admissions of qualified applicants for the Community Alternatives Program for Mentally Retarded and Developmentally Disabled Persons (CAP‑MR/DD) services.
SECTION 2.(a)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall review the CAP‑MR/DD program and recommend ways to:
(1)	Implement the recommendations of the Human Resource Research Institute report "Today's Choice: Tomorrow's Path" prepared for the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, and for the Secretary of Health and Human Services State Plan "State Plan 2001: Blueprint for Change."
(2)	Utilize unmatched State funds to expand services through the CAP‑MR/DD program.
(3)	Increase the flexibility of the CAP‑MR/DD program in order to provide higher quality services in a more efficient manner.
(4)	Reduce the waiting list for developmental disabilities services by increasing utilization of waiver services.
SECTION 2.(b)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services at its first regularly scheduled meeting following adjournment sine die of the 2001 General Assembly, Regular Session.
SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2002.  The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.