A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR A STATEWIDE twenty‑four‑HOUR TOLL‑FREE NURSE‑TRIAGE HOT LINE.
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 one million twenty‑six thousand dollars ($1,026,000) for the 2002‑2003 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to contract for a toll‑free (1‑8xx) phone line that will provide 24‑hour, seven‑day per week information by a registered nurse with expertise in triage services.  The information will be provided in response to inquiries from the general public regarding medical emergencies or possible medical emergencies and shall include referrals to appropriate local medical services. Information provided by the registered nurse shall be within the scope of practice of the registered nurse.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2002.