North Carolina Legislature Agrees to Compromise Mental Health Bill, Sends to Governor’s Desk

After the North Carolina state House rejected a bill in September that would reform the state's mental health system, both the state House and Senate have "overwhelmingly agreed" to a compromise measure (HB 381 and S 374) the AP/Raleigh News & Observer reports. The compromise bill, which now goes to Gov. Mike Easley (D) for his signature, would require the state to pare its 39 local mental health programs to 20 within six years. House members rejected the bill in its previous form because it did not include a provision requiring prior approval from the General Assembly before closing any of the state's five mental retardation centers. Under the compromise bill, the state Health and Human Services secretary can close a center after receiving approval from the governor and Council of State. The bill would allow state legislators to file a measure to block the closure. The compromise bill also would give county managers and commissioners more control over mental health programs (AP/Raleigh News & Observer, 10/2). For more information about health policy in North Carolina go to State Health Facts Online.