North Carolina House Votes To Give Counties More Authority Over Local Mental Health Programs

As part of a "major overhaul" of the North Carolina's mental health system, the state House has approved a bill (HB 381) that would cut back the state's 39 local mental health programs to "at least" 20 by 2007, the AP/Raleigh News & Observer reports. HB 381 is the first piece of legislation designed as part of a "major" redesign of North Carolina's mental health system, which has received criticism for "mismanagement" and for not providing "adequate services," the AP/News & Observer reports. Approved with a 92-19 vote, the bill "focuses" on how the mental health system is governed, giving "more authority" over local mental health programs to local officials. Before passing the bill, the House approved an amendment that would require the state to distribute funding equally to all local programs. Currently, the state gives some programs "special appropriations." The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Additional legislation that would shift control over mental health programs from the state to local governments is "expected over the next few years" (AP/Raleigh News & Observer, 7/26).